The Art of Ink Blending!

As I journey through the amazing AECP classes, I am rediscovering so many techniques ~old and new~ to use when creating cards! This is the best homework I have ever done!

I used to use cardstock and pattern paper to make my cards~ and while they were pretty, my cards were also predictable. The same pattern over and over...WOW! Ink blending has totally opened my creative mind to create any color background I want!

I am drawn to blues, pale yellows and greens. This is a picture of a cloth napkin I own and it became the inspiration for my card. Hey! a napkin can be creative right?

The trick to blending inks is 1. start with quality white cardstock and either a foam or bristle ink blender. A smooth surface will turn out the best results. 2. Use a light hand when blending and be patient. It may take several coats of ink to get your desired effect. 3. Tap off some ink on scratch paper before you begin blending. But you will love all the variations of cards you can make from Ink Blending! 4. Have FUN! Ink Blending is a technique you are sure to fall in love with as you can let your imagination run wild!

This card was made using #Altenew's Enchanted Beauty Stamp Set. To create this card, I first took an A2 card and ink blended several layers of Misty Morning and Cloudy Sky inks from #Altenew.

I then cut out the Watercolor Stripes Cover Die and blended vanilla cream and volcano lake inks on the watercolor

stripe cardstock and added a few ink splatters.

To make the floating seagrass, I stamped the images with versamark ink and heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. Ran the images thru my Sizzix Big Shot. Last step is to arrange the images, card saying and gold sequins.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Next up is a card using the same Enchanted Beauty Stamp Set, but I used #Altenew White Embossing Powder this time. The technique is called Emboss Resist! Start with a blank A2 card and using your misti stamper, place the stamp image where you want it to appear on your card. Dust a little corn starch on the card front so the embossing powder sticks to the stamped image and not all over your card. Ink up the stamp with Versamark and press down hard to transfer the image. Cover your image completely with the white embossing powder and tap off excess powder. Use heat gun to set the powder. Now the FUN begins! I took Vanilla Cream, Volcano Lake and Forest Garden and ink blended over the embossed image. The White Powder resists the inks and allows your image to POP!

To finish off the card, I ran the card front thru the sizzix using a rectangle die to create the stitched rectangle cover and added the sentiment using a circle die. (the circle die was cut out 3 times to create a thick chipboard piece) The saying is from the Begonia Builder Set. Add a few sequins and this will complete your masterpiece!

___________________________________________________________________________________________Like I said, ink blending will allow for so much creativity! I had a hard time stopping! Last up is a card using #altenew's new stamp, Paint a Flower Coral Sunset. I purposely masked off a portion of the card with blue painters tape and created an hombre look with shades of puffy heart, purple wine and frosty pink. When Blending, just be careful not to cross the blue line or you will get a line mark on your card ( I speak from experience)

Starting at the bottom of the card, ink up your blender tools, tap off excess ink and begin blending in a circular motion. Continue working your way up the strip using the tap off technique and blending each color as you go...use a light touch too. Once you are finished, gently peel off the tape to reveal your Expert Blending!

Like in the previous steps before, I used my Misti stamper and stamped the floral image in Versamark, coated image with black embossing powder and used the heat tool. Once the image was cooled off, I then took my pink and green variety of inks and randomly blended on the floral image...just pick a few areas and blend away! Added my sentiment and my black ink splatters and this is a wrap! Till next time!