I usually bring you Copic tutorials, but to be honest my markers and I are not on speaking terms right now. I get like this sometimes - I'm my own worst critic and nothing I color seems to turn out the way I want. So I decided to set my markers aside for awhile and spend some time playing with other coloring techniques.
Today's project features the Big Sexy Blooms and the M-Powering Words clear stamp sets. I love playing with background stamps since the image layout is already done for you. I don't have the patience for masking and fussing over positioning lots of images so background stamps are perfect for me.
Although I could color the flowers individually, I decided to go with an ink blended background in bright colors for extra punch. I used embossing powder and Distress Oxide Inks to create a resist embossed ink blended background.
Want to know the details? Well, here we go with directions and lots of pictures!
- Cut a piece of white card stock to 4.25 inches x 5.5 inches.
- Place Big Sexy Blooms stamp face up on your craft sheet. Apply embossing ink to the entire stamp, making sure that it is evenly covered with ink.
- Place card stock on onto the stamp, rubbing firmly across the entire piece to ensure that the ink transfers evenly.
- You should see a light impression from the embossing ink on the card stock.
- Cover the card stock with white embossing powder.
- Heat set the embossing powder. Be careful that you do not scorch the paper.
- Allow the embossing powder to cool and set.
- Using an ink blender or brush, apply Distress Oxide ink in Mustard Seed in a circular motion to a portion of the paper.
- Do not worry if the ink covers the white embossing. We'll take care of that after the ink blending is complete.
- Apply Distress Oxide ink in Picked Raspberry.
- Slightly overlap the color onto the Mustard Seed to blend the two colors where they meet. This overlap will create a warm orange color that will create a seamless transition between the colors.
- Apply Distress Oxide ink in Seedless Preserves to the remainder of the image.
- Slightly overlap the color onto the Picked Raspberry to transition between the two colors.
- Repeat application of the three colors as needed until the ink is blended and you achieve the color saturation that you want.
- Lightly wipe the excess ink off the embossed image with a paper towel. You will see that the white embossing resisted the ink and will be visible again.
- Apply a very light coat of Distress Micro Glaze to the image. You only need a very small amount. Rub in, wipe off, and buff lightly with a paper towel. This will enhance blend and brighten the colors.
- NOTE: The remaining steps work best if you use a set of nesting dies.
- Select a medium sided rectangular die and place in the center of your image.
- Run die and image through your die cutting machine.
- You now have a frame and a small background piece. Set both pieces aside.
- Use one of the smaller nesting dies to cut a piece of white cardstock.
- Stamp sentiment with a pigment ink such as Versamark.
- Cover sentiment with clear embossing powder and heat set.
- At this point, all of the card elements are ready to assemble.
- On the back of the frame, you can either apply foam tape or foam squares. I like to use craft foam so I cut a piece to size and then used one of the large dies to cut a window in the center. Then I glued it to the back of the card frame.
- You can either cut a small piece of craft foam and adhere to the back of the sentiment (as shown here) or apply foam tape or foam squares.
- Glue the card frame to your card base.
- Apply glue to the back of the smaller background. Make sure that it is right side up. Line it up inside the card frame and adhere to the card base.
- You now have a raised frame and the center background is set back.
- Glue sentiment to center of card.
- Add embellishments as desired.
- Stand back and admire your work!
Whew! That's a LOT of photos, but it's really not very complicated and you could easily make these cards in bulk.
Thanks for joining me today! See you again soon!
** Nancy **
