Thinking Inking

Texture play with ink and stencils

What I have been discovering in card making is a sense of freedom to try new things. I am more willing as a card maker to attempt a new technique or practice with a product with the understanding that I will mess up but each mistake is a step in the overall journey. To that end, I recently went to Jenn Shurkus' Creative Journey: An Art Retreat on Cape Cod. At that retreat, I was able to play with some stamps and techniques I do not normally try and get some ideas. My friend also won a Tim Holtz Plaid Layering Stencil which I am highlighting in today's card. I am also highlighting some techniques that may seem a bit daunting but I encourage you to try them and take a step forward on your creative journey.

A great background can sometimes be all you need to make your card. I started with a piece of Neenah Solar White 80lb paper cut to 5 3/4 x 4 1/2. I applied Distress Inks with my Mini Blending Tool by starting off the paper and moving in a circular motion onto the paper. This process takes patience as you build up the color layers. Wanting to create an ombre effect, I chose three pink colors: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry and three orange colors: Dried Marigold, Wild Honey and Carved Pumpkin. Visually dividing the paper into halves, I applied Spun Sugar to the top half, Worn Lipstick to the top third and Picked Raspberry to the top quarter of the paper. After drying the ink, I turned my paper 180 degrees and in the same manner created an ombre of Dried Marigold to the half, Wild Honey to the third and Carved Pumpkin to the quarter of the page making sure to blend between colors. I then used my lightest shade: Spun Sugar and Dried Marigold to go over their respective halves of the paper and blend them into the middle. 

Making the background

Once the ink was dry, I placed the Tim Holtz Plaid Layering Stencil over my background and taped it down with painters tape. I smooshed Mermaid Lagoon onto my craft mat and added two scoops of Ranger Texture Paste taking care to blend the paste and ink together. Once the blend was complete, I applied the blue paste to my stencil. I then repeated the process with Cracked Pistachio and applied until the stencil was covered. This paper needs ample time to dry and the spatula and stencil should be washed off immediately. Make sure you keep the top on the texture paste bottle when you are not using it.

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Cool background...now what?

My background was looking a bit dull despite the bright colors so I spritzed some Tsukineko Sparkle Spray onto it. I decided to keep the background intact so I die cut hello from Hero Arts Hello Stamp and Cut set. Once cut, I used Hero Arts Gold sparkle embossing powder to add a chunky gold glitter to the hello die cut. I also cut out "to you" from Concord & 9th Seasons of Cheer Die set onto white cardstock. I trimmed the stencil and textured background and used Krylon 18kt gold leafing pen (thanks for the tip, Jenn Shurkus!) to trace the outside of my trimmed piece. I mounted all of this onto a Neenah 110lb white A2 top folding notecard and added some thin black cardstock to accent both sides of the card background.

Thank you for joining me today and I would love to hear about what you would like to try as you move your journey forward. If you would like to try to make this card, I have compiled a list of materials I used. Affiliate links are used when available which if you chose to use them, provide a small commission to me that I use to run the blog at no cost to you. Have a great day and keep on crafting!