My boys LOVE playing a game of checkers lately. While playing one day, I looked at the pattern of the board and the colors and thought how perfect it would be for a simple nail art design. So here is how I did it . . .
Step 1: Prep Nails
View my post on Nail Polish Prep.
Step 2: Paint Nails
Paint all of the nails with two coats of red polish. I used the Shellac color called, Wildfire.
Gel Polish: Apply two coats of red polish and cure in light (curing after each coat). Cure 2 minutes in the UV light, or 1 minute in an LED light. 
Step 3: Checkerboard Pattern
New to nail stamping? Read more about it here on this amazing nail stamping blog by, Bregje from the Netherlands. Curious how to stamp nails, here’s how.
Now comes to nail stamping the black checkerboard pattern. (Note: I used MASH stamp #38.) Steps: (1) I begin by paint latex paint around my nails that will be stamped, this makes clean up very fast and easy. (2) Paint my polish onto the stamping plate and pull/scrape paint into the grooves. (3) Pick up stamp with nail stamping tool. (4) Roll stamp onto nail. (5) Paint top coat.
Note: For nail stamping, you can use any regular polish. If I want to stamp with a color, I just use whatever polish I have. (Gel Polish does not work for stamping.) BUT if I am doing black or white stamping, I have found that I like to stamp with Konad Black and Konad White. They seem to apply more solid and crispy, while other whites and blacks appear semi-transparent.
Step 4: Apply Final Top Coat
Now apply your top coat. Make sure the paint is completely dry before adding top coat to help avoid smearing.
Gel Polish: Apply top coat, only after paint is completely dry, and cure 2 minutes in the UV light, or 1 minute in an LED light.
Step 5: Allow to Dry and Apply Cuticle Oil
Allow your polish to dry completely. Apply a cuticle oil just around your nails on the cuticle and rub into the skin.
Gel Polish: Remove sticky residue on top of nails with a little alcohol or polish remover and apply cuticle oil.
Remove gel polish after 2-3 weeks, check out Gel Polish Removal for the quickest, easiest and best way to remove gels.
