video tutorial – Try It – Like It

Test out DIY Distress Glaze and DIY Resist

This week I’m putting DIY craft products to the test and using my favorite results to create a finished mixed-media tag.

I recently heard about Distress Glaze and was curious to see if I could make my own version. I asked ChatGPT for a DIY recipe and decided to give it a try. I started to get some interesting results, but then I wondered how it would compare to my DIY Resist recipe, which has given me great results in the past. So, of course, I had to put the two techniques to the test!

For the backgrounds, I used the same technique for each trial with Distress Oxide Ink. Since Distress Oxide is water-reactive, it was the perfect choice for this comparison. It would clearly show whether the glaze or resist actually protected the surface from additional applications of water or other wet mediums.

The recipe for the DIY Distress Glaze was surprisingly simple—just petroleum jelly combined with rubbing alcohol. With only two easy-to-find ingredients, I was curious to see how well this homemade version would work as a resist and how it would compare to my tried-and-true DIY Resist recipe.

Video Tutorial:

I ended up choosing the DIY Resist version for this week’s tag tutorial because I really liked the results it created. To finish off the tag, I layered on some ephemera and added a few rhinestones for a little extra sparkle and dimension.

While I did start to see some results with the DIY Glaze, I don’t think it worked as well as a resist. Instead, I think this mixture would be better suited as a protective finishing layer or a final buffing layer. For techniques where I really want to protect the surface while continuing to add wet mediums, my DIY Resist was definitely the better choice.

The DIY Resist recipe can be found here: https://youtu.be/zbdNmMM7doY?si=EeVqdaYSBtDzlIOT

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Art Glitter Glue Shop at: AZ	Craft Brushes Shop at: AZ	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ
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Sizzix Intricate Craft Tool Shop at: AZ

Learn How Easy it is to Stencil Swipe

Discover this fun stencil swipe technique that turns your stencils into stamps.

This week’s tag tutorial features a fun stencil swipe technique that creates a one-of-a-kind background. Instead of applying color through the stencil, the color is swiped directly onto the stencil itself and then transferred to the tag. The result is a beautifully layered design with soft, organic patterns that are different every time you create it.

After creating the inked background, I layered stamped tissue paper over the surface to add even more depth and visual interest. The delicate blue butterflies coordinate beautifully with the inked background, while the translucent tissue allows the colorful layers underneath to remain visible, creating a soft, dimensional effect.

Video Tutorial:

The close-up image above highlights the beautiful visual texture created with this technique. The transferred ink produces subtle variations in color and pattern, while the layered tissue paper adds another level of depth, resulting in a rich, artistic background that is full of character.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Interference Ink Shop at: AZ	Nori Paste Shop at: AZ	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Scrapbook Scissors Shop at: SB	Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ	Sticker Paper Shop at: AZ

If you are interested in the DIY tutorials for the tissue stamping and ribbon making they are listed below:

DIY Ribbon tutorial: https://youtu.be/2T-Vv9t–sc

DIY stamped tissue: https://youtu.be/kVGrjQMEM40

Crafting with Leftovers

Leftover craft pieces turned into a colorful layered tag with ink smooshing, texture, and creative fun!

Sometimes the best projects come from using what is already sitting on your craft desk. This week’s tag tutorial was inspired by a few leftover pieces I just couldn’t throw away. I had some extra die cut leaves and a round paper coin that I had previously created, and together they became the starting point for a layered mixed media tag design full of texture and color.

These leftover materials became the starting point for the tag creation. As often happens with my crafting process, I began with only a minimal idea and allowed the design to develop naturally as I layered elements, colors, and textures together.

If you are interested in the free SVG for the leaves, it is available here: [leaves]

I always enjoy working with colorful backgrounds, so I used an ink smooshing technique to create the base of the tag. The blended inks added both color and movement, giving the background a soft artistic feel that worked perfectly with the layered elements.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Heidi Swapp Color Swap Shop at: AZ	Lisa Horton – Cloud 9 Matte Shop at: SB	Marvy Deco Color Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ
Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Scrapbook Scissors Shop at: SB

Water + Paint = Fun Technique

One technique, two unique tags—see how water and paint transform the same colors into completely different designs!

Combining water and paint creates a really fun technique, especially when you allow the materials to interact in unexpected ways. This week’s tag tutorial actually gives you two finished tags from one creative process, making it both efficient and inspiring. The color palette for these tags was pulled directly from a free printable I shared a few weeks ago, tying the projects together in a cohesive and creative way.

By introducing water to the paint, the pigments begin to move, blend, and soften, creating organic textures and subtle variations that are hard to achieve with dry techniques alone. Each tag develops its own personality depending on how much water is used and how the colors are layered, making every result unique.

If you take a closer look at the finished tags, you’ll notice the beautiful transitions of color and the soft edges created by the water. These details add depth and interest, turning a simple tag into a small piece of art.

Here are the finished painting techniques that use the same colors yet produce beautifully different results. By adjusting how much water is added and how the paint is applied, each piece takes on its own unique look—one with softer, blended transitions and the other with more defined, textured areas of color.

Once the tags were cut out, it was time to finish them off. Just like the painted backgrounds, each tag’s final details take on a different direction. The finishing touches enhance the unique look of each tag and bring the overall design together beautifully.

Video Tutorial:

The close-up images of the finished tags highlight both the differences and similarities in the designs. You can really see how the same colors and techniques create unique results, while still maintaining a cohesive look across both tags.

If you are interested in the free printable I used in this tutorial you can find it here: [Bird Stamps]

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Crop a dile Shop at: AZ	DecoArt Paint Shop at: AZ	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ
Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Gwen Studios at Walmart Shop at: O	HP Envy Inspire Shop at: AZ	HP Paper Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ

Clean Your Stencil for Crafting

Sometimes the best backgrounds happen by accident—this week’s tag started while cleaning my stencil!

While cleaning the stencil from last week’s tag tutorial, I ended up with this unexpected and lovely background—proof that sometimes the best designs happen by accident! I couldn’t let it go to waste, so I used it as the foundation for this week’s tag, building layers and details right on top of that soft, blended texture.

This sticker set from the Dollar Tree had a little bird at the bottom that I thought coordinated well with the tag’s background.

Video Tutorial:

In the close-up image above, you can see the details I added to finish the tag. I used a gem for the bird’s eye and filled the center of the flowers with Nuvo Drops.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Finger Daubers Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Hamton Art ink pad Shop at: AZ
Mini Maker Shop at: O	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Nuvo drops Shop at: AZ	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ
rhinestones Shop at: AZ	Smarter Glue Pen Shop at: AZ	Tweezers Shop at: AZ	Wonder Word Die Set – Echo Park Shop at: AZ

Combine Stamping and Die Cutting Card

Simple techniques combine for an elegant card.

This card design combines clean stamping with basic die cutting shapes to achieve a refined, layered look that’s perfect for special occasions or everyday elegance.

After stamping, I carefully balance three different-sized circle dies over the image.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Foam Tape Shop at: AZ	Gemini Die Cut Machine Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Interference Ink Shop at: AZ
Misti Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ
Sentiment Stamp and Die Shop at: O	Tape Runner Shop at: AZ \| SSS \| SB	Tweezers Shop at: AZ	Zig Adhesive Shop at: AZ

Controlled Ink Smooshing

Controlled ink smooshing and foiling create the perfect layered background.

This week’s tag features a controlled ink smooshing technique paired with foiling to create a beautifully layered and dynamic background. The controlled application of ink allows the colors to blend organically while still maintaining balance and intention. Adding foil over the textured surface brings in just the right amount of shine and contrast, giving the tag extra visual interest. To finish the design, I layered a few coordinating die-cut elements that complement the background without overpowering it, creating a cohesive and eye-catching final piece.

I used a media mat for a controlled and unique ink smooshing technique.

The tag after the ink smooshing technique.

Video Tutorial:

A close-up image to show detail.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: AZ \| SB	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ
Spray Bottles Shop at: AZ	Zig Adhesive Shop at: AZ

The Art of Stencil Burning

Scorch Paint worked surprisingly well on a different surface, check out the tutorial.

Scorch Paint is a fun way to create pyrography-style projects, and I was curious to see how it would perform on a surface other than wood. I tested it on a small craft box made from compressed card, and while the paint did react and create a burned effect, it’s important to use extra caution. Heating a paper-based surface can cause scorching, warping, or even burning much faster than wood, so this technique should be approached carefully. It’s a successful experiment—but one that definitely requires mindfulness and safety awareness.

I used a sticky stencil on the box and applied the scorch paint through the stencil. Then I removed the stencil before heating the surface.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount Shop at: AZ	Dollar Tree Shop at: O	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Makers Magic Shop at: AZ	Non-Stick Scissors Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ	Scorch Paint Shop at: AZ
Sizzix Intricate Craft Tool Shop at: AZ

Alcohol Ink Dip

A simple alcohol dip experiment created beautiful background activity. Check out the process here.

This tag began as a simple experiment—dipping into alcohol ink using a marbling-style technique—and quickly turned into a fun, creative exploration. Watching the inks move, blend, and create unexpected patterns is part of the magic, and no two results are ever the same. What I love most about this process is how many different avenues it opens up, from subtle color play to bold, layered effects, making it a technique you can revisit again and again with fresh results each time.

After experimenting with white tags, I chose to try a colored cardstock with opal alcohol ink. The visual activity didn’t appear until the tag was dry.

Since I was stamping with brand-new, never-before-used stamps, I knew I wanted to use a stamping platform in case I needed to stamp more than once. Given that the tag was pink and Valentine’s Day was just around the corner, I chose a heart along with the word love to finish the design.

Adding a bit more color and activity to the tag, I used a Pentel Dual Metallic Brush marker in red, and a white and pink Sharpie acrylic marker.

The image above is showing the sparkle caught in the light created by the alcohol dipping method.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Intense Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS	Misti Shop at: AZ
Pentel Metallic Brush Pens Shop at: AZ	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink 3 pack Shop at: AZ \| SSS	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Sharpie Acrylic Markers Shop at: AZ
Tweezers Shop at: AZ

Re-inker Blending

Creating often means letting the process lead—this ink and watercolor experiment took an unexpected (and fascinating) turn.

If you create often, you may find yourself in a position where your work needs to evolve. That’s exactly what happened to me this week. I began with a simple idea—allowing ink to blend and bleed in water to form loose floral shapes. What surprised me most was that the blending didn’t stop at the surface. The ink traveled through the watercolor paper and appeared on the back side, creating an unexpected and fascinating effect that completely shifted how I viewed the piece.

I began with a watercolor paper tag, water, and a Momento re-inker is a cocoa color. I used a business card to transfer the ink, a credit card would work too.

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The image on the left is the front with the flower-like shapes. The image on the right is the back where the ink bled through the tag. I actually like both sides and had to choose which one to continue with for this week’s project.

Video Tutorial:

Here is a close up look at how the re-inker bled through the paper and created different colors. You can see different colors of greens, browns, and a bit of rust.