How to create a watercolor effect with Cricut Infusible Ink Pens

Did you know that you can create a soft watercolor effect using Cricut Infusible Ink Pens?

Here is how:

1. Choose a design on design space that is a drawing.
2. Draw the design on copy paper using a black Infusible Ink Pen
3. Using a very fine paint brush, brush a very light coting on a section of the image that you want to color, like for instance one petal of a flower.  Do not completely drench the paper, as it is copy paper and will tear very easily.
4. Now color the section that you want darkest, with your darker shade of pen, like the center part of the flower.  
5. Using your wet paint brush, lightly drag the color away from the center.  It will get lighter.
6. Now use your lighter shade to color the outer side of your petal, and again, using your damp paint brush, drag the color around to blend.
7. Once all petals are done, let your design dry completely.  It should not have any moisture at the time of infusion.
8. Once your design is dry, press it to your substrate according to directions for the Cricut Infusible Pens and your press that you use.

 Cricut Infusible Ink Sheets and Pens - my new obsession

I first infused the background with my mini press, using:

*Cricut Infusible Ink Sheet - Mermaid (Cricut 2006768, 305x305 mm, 305 mm, 305 mm, 4 sheets) and

*Cricut Infusible Ink Sheet - Pink Lemonade (2008887 Cricut Infusible Ink, Heat transfer vinyl sheet, Smooth heat transfer vinyl, Pink, Yellow, Pattern, 114 mm, 30.5 cm)

I then infused the sentiment using the Black Infusible Ink Pen to draw on normal copy paper and then pressing with my mini press.

#cricut

#cricutsa

 Did SomeBunny say its almost Easter?

With such a passion for making and trying new things, you are bound to end up with lots of trails and errors until you master the art.  I love combining all my crafts.  Making unique gifts is something I strive to achieve every time.

I just love how these Easter eggs turned out.  Can be used as a key ring, a special tag on your Easter gift basket, or why not include it in the Easter hunt?

Using Cricut Infusible Ink Pens is one of my new obsessions!

#cricut

#cricutsa

#cricutmea

 

Juicy Summers

Double Page Interactive Shaker Layout

Created by Bernadette Siena

South Africa

Summer time is pomegranate time!  Growing up, we had 2 pomegranate trees and I remember so well how we watched them growing, eagerly waiting for them to be ready to pick.  Hours were spent breaking them open and picking out the fruity pips.  I know there are photos of us kids eating them, and my whole family has been tasked to find those photos, so that I can add them to this page.  That is where my inspiration for this layout comes from - precious childhood memories.

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/aEY72Zp58lA

For This Project You Will Need:

·        Base pages: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 007, 008;

·        Fussy cut sheets: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 009, 010;

·        Shaker: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 004, 010B, 011B;

·        Sentiment “Summer Love” and border: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 012

·        Photo background: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 001B

·        Photo Matt: FabScraps C138 Pattern Paper (PP) 003B

·        FabScraps Chipboard from Fab Box: “Summer Vibes”

·        Cardstock for matting: AC colours that match perfectly: Cherry, Shrimp, Grapefruit and Peach;

·        Basic tools – Trimmer, fussy cut scissors, palate knife, poking tool or small hole punch, Score tool;

·        Adhesive: FabScraps Glue or any good quality glue that you have, Double sided foam tape;

·        Distress Ink – Artistry Ink Cranberry Crush and Ranger Dried Marigold;

·        White Gesso or Dew Drop ink pad;

·        Distress Glitter: Spiced Marmelate and Spun Sugar;

·        1 Brad;

·        Sequence in matching colours;

·        Flowers in matching colours;

·        Natural sisal (optional);

·        Laminator and sleeves, or acetate/transparencies;

·        Photos:

o   2 photos – 6 x 4 inches;

o   1, 2 or 4 to be added behind the shaker element.

Instructions:

1.      Fussy cut and ink the curved flower arrangements and other desired elements on the Fussy Cut PP 009 and 010.

2.      Fussy cut and ink Sentiment and border from PP012 – only fussy cut one side of the border, and leave the other side as a straight cut.

3.      Cut and ink photo mats for the 6 x 4 photos, starting first layer with PP003B, then a darker shade of cardstock, and lastly the lighter shade of cardstock. Layer using foam tape.

4.      Cut and ink the photo background from 001B, to size 8 x 11.75, and then mat with a light shade of cardstock.

5.      Adhere the border piece to the to top of photo background with foam tape.

6.      Cut 1 ¼ inch of the left side of the photo background, to overlap the left page.

7.      Adhere the 2 pieces to the base pages 007, 008 as per the photo.

8.      Adhere the photo matts to the photo background on the righthand page.

9.      Colour chipboard with white ink, allow to dry, then create an ombre effect with the Artistry Ink Cranberry Crush and Ranger Dried Marigold, using a sponge dauber. Adhere to the bottom of the right hand page.

10.   To make the shaker element

a.      Use one of the 2 following methods to cut your elements from 004(Top cut 2), 010B(Middle), 011B(bottom):

                                                     i.     The Cricut Cut file (https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/6224bf05584056a6d2d89e3c); or

                                                   ii.     If you do not have a Cricut electronic cutting machine, use the templates provided, print, fussy cut, then trace onto your pages.

b.      Once you have your elements cut, laminate the top pieces that have the openings like the fruit, or adhere acetate or transparencies with double sided tape.  I like to laminate, as it provides more support for interactive elements, and less static than acetate.

c.       Cut your lamination or acetate so that only the pattern paper layers are covered.

d.      Align both pieces, and punch a hole in the top centre in both layers at the same time, to ensure it is aligned once you have your shaker completed.

e.      Cut your double-sided foam tape into very thin strips, and add 2 layers around the edge and middle of the one layer – ensuring the hole that was punched in the previous step, is not covered and that the double-sided foam tape goes around the bottom of the hole, so that your shaker elements don’t fall out. Do not remove the non-stick paper from the top layer yet.  Tip: I use double sided foam sheets – its easier to cut into the desired width with my guillotine, as both sides have non-stick paper on.

f.       Fill the cavities with glitter, sequence and beads – any small elements that will “shake”.

g.      Remove the non-stick paper and align and attach the top layer of the shaker, making sure it is secure and your shaker elements won’t fall out.

h.      Glue the bottom and middle layer of the pomegranate down onto the left base page.

i.        Align the shaker, mark the position of the punched holes are, and pierce the base page at the the mark.

j.        Adhere the shaker to the base page using a brad.

11.   Finish off with layering sisal, fussy cuts, flower embellishment and glitter.

12.   To place right shaker page in an album, remove the brad, insert the base page into the page sleeve, mark the hole and pierce the front layer of the sleeve.  Re-attach the shaker element on top of the sleeve but inserting the brad thought he shaker, then the sleeve and then the base page.