Showing posts with label Ink Blending. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ink Blending. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

AECP-Transcending Tattoo Techniques

 Hello! I hope you are having a great day.  I recently completed another Altenew class and really found this one fascinating.  The instructor, Jaycee Gaspar, researched different tattoo techniques and transferred them into card making techniques.  Not only did I pick up a few card making techniques, I learned a little about tattooing. I will note the tattoo technique that inspired each card as we move along.


The above card was inspired by the tattoo technique called Trash Polka.  I was so intrigued by this that I actually googled several tattoo images-give it a try yourself. I found some truly beautiful artwork. All images were stamped onto a sand colored cardstock from my stash and then adhered to a white A2 card.  The background was partially stenciled using black ink and the Woven Stencil. The circles were stamped in red and the image is from a bicycle stamp in my stash.  I also added black splatters.  The blooms are from the Wallpaper Art set (one of my favorites) and the leaves are from the Darling Rose set.  The sentiment is from the Halftone Happy set. 


Here is a close up of the flower.  I did rough up the edges of my background and lightly ink blend the edges in black to add to the organic feel of the card.


This card utilizes the Loose Watercolor Technique.  After stamping and heat embossing the butterflies from the Painted Butterflies set in black onto watercolor paper, I wet specific areas and scraped dry pigment from the 12 color pan watercolor set onto the wet areas.  I did move some of the pigment around with a wet brush.  I used the same method on another piece of watercolor paper, then stamped and heat embossed the word happy and the sentiment from the Halftone Happy set. The background is dry embossed using the 3D Cloudy Day Embossing Folder.  The clouds were enhanced by adding highlights with white craft ink.


I hope you can see the pigment in the enlargement.  Can you see the variation of pigment? 


This card refers to the tattoo technique called Old School/Graphic Coloring.  To do this, first stamp the outline and then stamp the most detailed layer.  Hand color using your preferred method and use to create your card. I added some splatters and black gems to complete my card.  


The blooms and leaves are from the Always There set and the sentiment is from the Japanese Mum set.  The small white and black images are the tips from the Starry Flowers set.


This card was inspired by the Dotwork/Pen Shading Details technique.  I was slightly intimidated at first, but found it relaxing as I went along. Below is the stamped image prior to any dot work.


I used the Dotted Scales Debossing Cover Die, the Fancy For You Die, and the Just Leaves Dies to complete my card.  The bloom is from the Build a Flower-Gardenia set.


I hope you enjoyed this post and will give this class a try.  

Happy Stamping!

Thursday, February 10, 2022

AECP-Stunningly Simple Watercolor Techniques

 The journey to become a Certified Altenew Educator continues and so does my learning!  Another great class was just completed.  If you have ever considered taking one of Altenew's many classes, I encourage you to do it.  You do not have to be part of the Educator Program to do so and I assure you that you will love it!  This class is taught by Lydia Evans and simplifies watercoloring.  


This is a sample of no line watercoloring.  For the card base, I ink blended over the Classy Stripes Stencil using Gray Denim ink and then stamped partial images using the Tall Foliage stamp.  The sentiment and bloom are from the Build A Flower-Gardenia set.  


The bloom was stamped on watercolor paper and then colored with purple and blue ink pads. I smooshed some ink from the pads onto my worksurface.  


This card uses an embossed image to "catch" your watercolors.  The raised embossed outlines help to keep the colors from bleeding into each other.  For the background, I ink blended Aqualicious around the edges and left the center mostly untouched.  Using the Garden Trellis Cover Die and a circle die, I cut my cardfront. After adhering it in place, I stamped the sentiment from the Vintage Garden set in black ink.


 Again, the bloom was stamped onto watercolor paper. Ink colors used for my watercoloring were Hunter Green, Aqualicious, Heart Beat and Caramel Toffee.


The focus of this card is the background.  I wet the entire piece and then added my colors and allowed them to blend on their own. The butterflies are from the Painted Butterflies set and the sentiment is from the Tall Foliage set.


If you look closely, you can see that the butterflies have a slight blue tint.  After heat embossing them onto vellum, I ink blended light blue onto the backs.  They are adhered with tiny glue dots behind the gold embossed areas.

The birthday card above used ink smooshing for the background.  The card on the right uses an ombre technique for the background.

This class was fun and I hope to utilize more watercoloring techniques in the future.

Happy Stamping!

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

AECP-Level 3-Creative Coloring with Erum-Advanced Techniques

 OH MY! I so enjoyed this class and learned so much.  This is a class that I will take over and over again.  Erum is such a fantastic colorist. I hope to be half as good as she is one day.  She is easy to follow and so intriguing to watch as her blossoms come to life before your eyes. This class is another one you must try from Altenew!


This cards is more vibrant in person and uses the Stippling Technique and Drip Background Technique. I used the Wallpaper Art stamp set and the 12 Pan Watercolor Set.  After heat embossing my flowers and leaves in white onto watercolor paper, I followed Erum's instructions.  I really like the way this card turned out and decided to leave off a sentiment to let the background shine.


My next card combines alcohol markers and layering stamping to achieve my desired shading.  I stamped my outline image and only one of my layers. You can see how the flower petals look before adding the alcohol markers. 


After my coloring was done, I embossed a white piece of cardstock using the 3D Modern Squares embossing folder.  I then lightly ink blended over the top using Grape Agate and Silver Lake and added a few splatters.  The blossoms are from the Build A Flower-Gardenia set and my sentiment is from the Dotted Blooms set.


I also added a few solid silver sequins and adhered it to an A2 card front.  The sentiment is white heat embossed onto black cardstock.


The card below uses watercolor pencils and spritzing with water.  The next time I try this technique, I will used a stamp with larger petals. This stamp is from the set Japanese Mum. As you can see below, my coloring is sketchy and random. After spritzing with water, the strokes smooth out and blend.


I heat embossed my image onto watercolor paper using white embossing powder.


To finish the card, I embossed white cardstock using the 3D Floating Foliage embossing folder and the ink blended a light green ink over the leaves only. I wanted my blossoms to be the star of this card, so I chose a sentiment from the Tiny Sentiments-Hello set and stamped it directly onto my card front in black ink.


To finish the card, I added 2 small die cut leaves in mat gold from my stash.


My last card is a one layer card except for the sentiment. Erum shows you how to achieve dimension on your projects with the use of color.  I have a way to go, but am pleased with this card.  I chose to use pencils for my blooms and leaves, but ink blended the stripes using the Classy Stripes Stencil and Sea Forest ink.  I added a few splatters using Mangrove Root ink. The stamp set used is Perfectly Perfect.  I did mask off my stamped blooms and leaves before stenciling.


After die cutting hugs, I ran the Mangrove Root ink pad over the piece for added color and then attached it to a white shadow die cut.  Of course, I added a few gold jewels as well. 

I hope today's cards motivated you to take this class.  You will be glad you did!

Happy Stamping!

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

AECP-Level 2 Challenge-Part 2

The next part of the challenge was an upcycled/recycled project.  I had a certain project in mind, but as I was decorating for Christmas, I found an old decoration and decided to make something to inspire me in my craft area.  I don't have a craft room as such-my husband and I share our unfinished basement space for our hobbies. Here is the decoration I used.


I began by painting the interior white.  I then heat embossed 2 of the flower images from Vintage Garden stamp set using Rose Gold  Embossing powder onto watercolor paper.  I adore this stamp set!


Using the Watercolor Essential 12 pan set, I colored the stamped images.  After letting them dry, I used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  I also used 3 of the leaves in the set using the same technique.

For the background, I ink blended Stormy Sky and Tattered Rose Distress Oxide inks onto white cardstock.  For added interest, I stamped a text background using Silver Lake ink.  I wanted the sentiment to pop, so I used the same background technique on a separate piece of cardstock. I then stamped the sentiment, using gray and black inks to achieve a vintage look.  After cutting the sentiment piece, I dipped the edges into Versa Mark ink and heat embossed them using Rose Gold.  TIP-BE SURE TO HEAT FRONT AND BACK SIDES OF THE SENTIMENT PIECE.  

I did cut one of the flower images and arranged them onto the stamped cardstock.  The center flower image has one layer of cardstock behind it for some added dimension.  I also added 2 layers of cardstock behind the sentiment.  A few sequins finishes the project.


I hope this inspires you to try new things!  And the Altenew classes are a great place to start. 

Happy Stamping!



Tuesday, November 30, 2021

AECP-Level2-With A Twist

 I have completed another fantastic class in the Altenew classroom!  These classes are wonderful and each one is filled with techniques and tips to take your cardmaking and crafting up a notch.  This class is named With A Twist and was such a delight.  Therese Calvird is the instructor and so easy to follow. 



My first example is using a stamp in a slightly different way than it's designed use.  I started by stamping the Ranunculus outline stamp with Versa Mark ink and heat embossing it onto a blue cardstock.  For the second layer, I used only one of the shadow stamps and stamped it in Sapphire Ink. For the background, I ran two pieces of cardstock (one silver and one white) through my die cutting machine using the Dotted Scales Debossing Die.  I adhered these to my card front and attached a matching cardstock strip for added detail.  I then popped my flower and added a sentiment from the same set heat embossed in silver as well.


Here is a close up of the Ranuculus bloom.  I really like how this turned out and have another one in my stash for another card.


The above card used a different cut from the normal A2 design.  I have had this Ornamental Bliss stamp set for awhile and only used the sentiments.  That is really the reason I purchased it, but decided to use it for this design.  I think it worked well.  It is very easy to line up the layers.  The most difficult part is deciding which colors to use!  My color choices were Vineyard Berry, Amethyst, Caramel Toffee, Maple Yellow, Sweet Leaf and Galactic Stream. A few of my colors were not bright enough for my liking, so I brightened them up with Prisma Color Pencils.  After die cutting my stamped pieces, I adhered them to my circle card front.  The card front is ink blended in Sweet Leaf and the sentiment is stamped in Galactic Stream. I also added a few gems.


My final card used the twist of "inside out".  The front of the card depicts an indoor scene and the inside of the card is an outdoor scene.  I used five different stamp sets for this card and some of them are discontinued.  I mix and match my sets and I encourage you to try it as well. I did place a piece of acetate in the window for my glass.


I used Kraft cardstock for my window and lightly ink blended a darker brown for added detail.


After stamping the inside, I colored my images and used a Versa Mark Pen to the trees. I then heat embossed some white for snow.  The sentiment is from the Holiday Flower set and the Altenew ink colors used were Hunter Green, Just Green and Heart Beat.  If you would like the details of this card, please email me and I will give them to you.

Happy Stamping!

Saturday, November 13, 2021

AECP-Level 2-Masking Unleashed

 The Altenew Educator Classes are some of the best around!  Each class is full of wonderful tips and tricks.  The instructors are varied and each has so much to offer. My latest class was no exception! Masking Unleashed is all about using different masking techniques on your cards. 


The steps for this card are simple but do require a little time.  Start by cutting a circle out of a piece of masking paper and using the outside piece for masking. Adhere it to your card front, align your stencil over your circle opening and lightly ink blend a light ink color over the area.  Keep the area that you plan to place your flowers lighter than the rest.  Remove your mask and decide on your flower placement.  After stamping the main image, mask it off and continue stamping and masking until your image is complete.


The ink colors on this card are Altenew Misty Moor, Marshland, Sea Forest, and Mangrove Root. The flowers are from the Always There stamp set and the sentiment is from the Faithful Feathers stamp set.  I heat embossed the sentiment in gold onto a matching color of cardstock.  I also added a tiny gold piece of cardstock on either side of the sentiment strip and a few gold sequins.



These cards use die cuts from the Just Leaves die set as masks.  I cut 2 of each one from masking paper, adhered one to white cardstock and began ink blending.  After a light coat of ink, I then attached the second mask, off setting slightly from the first and ink blended a little more. I white heat embossed the sentiments and finished the cards as shown.  The card on the left uses the Leaves Frame die with one cut from brown cardstock and another cut from vellum.  Adhere the 2 frames with the leaves turned in different directions.


For this card, die cut the You Are Loved die out of masking paper and place it on your card front.  Ink blend over your card front.  Without removing your die, stamp your flowers and leaves.  Remove your mask, adhere some jewels and your card is finished!  I used Altenew inks for this-Teal Cove, Vineyard Berry, Coral Bliss, Citrus Burst, Sea Forest and Pink Pearl(for the blending). The flowers are from the Stunning Cosmos set and the leaves are from the Always There set.


When masking, always start with your top layer first, the pink flower in this card. Mask it off after stamping and stamp your second layer-the blue and purple flowers.  Mask this layer off and stamp your third layer-the leaves.  After my stamping was done, I colored the image using various alcohol markers.  To finish the card, I added some black splatters, the sentiment(white heat embossed on black cardstock and fussy cut) and adhered my piece to an A2 black card.  The leaves and flowers are from the Perfectly Perfect set and the sentiment is from the Coneflower set.

Happy Stamping!

Friday, November 5, 2021

Altenew-November Challenge


 Just a quick note today to spotlight the Altenew November Challenge.  I ink blended the colors for the challenge onto a piece of white cardstock and then ran it through the Cloud embossing folder from Altenew.  I cut one of the leaves die 3 times from black cardstock and glued them together.  I then adhered all to the ink blended piece. I added a heavy dose of Wink of Stella to the die cut, white heat embossed my sentiment and added some silver splatters.

Sunday, August 22, 2021

AECP Level 1Final Challenge-Feminine Card Set

 


Oh my, what fun I have had creating! This post contains my submission for the feminine set of my Level 1 Final Challenge. The Level 1 classes are so full of wonderful inspiration and ideas.  If you have the chance, you should enroll in these classes.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed and will increase your crafting skills. This card set incorporates lessons learned from the following classes-All About Layering 1 and 2, Easy Die Cutting Techniques, Irresistible Ink Blending Techniques and Let It Shine.

For my color palate, Purple or Lilac was a must as it was my mother's favorite color. I experimented with different combinations of inks and cardstocks. I fell in love with the ink blending of Antique Linen and Old Paper Distress Oxide Inks. TIP-When using Distress Oxide Inks, let your inks dry well before using your inked piece. 


CARD#1-My ink colors for this Ranunculus bloom (and all my flowers) are Pale Mauve, Amethyst, Grape Agate, and Plum.  The leaves color palate are Marshland, Sea Forest and Mangrove Root.  I ink blended Old Paper Distress Oxide Ink onto the lower left corner, letting it fade away toward the center.  I had some foil tape, but it was too wide, so I made my own. TIP-Make your own tape by adhering a double sided adhesive sheet to a foil sheet of cardstock and then cut it to your desired width. Remove the backing and attach it to the desired area of your card front.  I attached a few gold sequins for more shine.


My sentiment is from the Ranunculus set as well.  I also added some Wink of Stella to the bloom but try as I might, I couldn't capture it in a picture.




CARD#2-I used the Dotted Scales Debossing Plate to add interest to my ink blended background.  The tulips are from the Build A Flower-Bearded Iris Set.  I continued with the same purple color palate for the bloom and green color palate for the leaves.  The sentiment is from the Ranunculus Set. I backed it with purple card stock and adhered it with foam squares. 



I added a few purple gem stones from my stash for some bling.  I truly wish the color of this ink blended background was more defined in the photo.  It is such a soft background. 


CARD#3-This card uses a pale green cardstock as its background and also a recycled element-a used dryer sheet!  I used an oval die to cut out the center area of the pale green card stock and then ran it through an embossing folder.  I then placed it on my card front and traced the inside lightly in pencil.  After stamping and die cutting several blossoms from the Stunning Cosmos Set, I adhered them in place to peak through the oval.  I then covered the blossoms with a glue stick, topped this with my dryer sheet and then rubbed a tiny bit of fine glitter into the sheet and wet glue. When this was dry, I trimmed my excess and attached my embossed cardstock using foam tape. Tiny pearls were added as well.


Above is a close up to see all the glitter and sparkle.  The sentiment is from the Bearded Iris Set.


CARD#4-The ink blended background is more visible in the picture of this card ( I may need a better camera/phone-ha). I used the Gem Frame Die to cut out the center and then cut a second one from my Gold Mirror Cardstock.  The ink blended piece was adhered using foam tape to an A2 card front.  Using the inlaid technique, I then adhered the gem die cut to the card. The bloom and leaves utilize the same color palate and are from the Antique Roses Set.  Wink of Stella was added for more sparkle.


The above picture more closely shows the effect of the inlaid technique.  I also added some purple enamel dots from my stash that are just the right color.  The sentiment is from the Majestic Bloom Set.


CARD#5-The Japanese Mum Set is one of my very favorite sets from Altenew!  This card just makes me smile.  I first ran a piece of white cardstock through an embossing folder very much like Altenew's Organic Linen 3D Embossing Folder.  However, this folder is not 3D or Altenew, so it did not emboss as deeply. I then backed this piece with a Gold Mirror Cardstock. My blooms & leaves were adhered & trimmed to fit the A2 card front.


The sentiment is from the Ornamental Bliss Set.  I adhered a purple strip of cardstock to a Gold Mirror piece and after white heat embossing the sentiment to a Vellum strip, I adhered it by wrapping it around to the back of my Gold cardstock and adhering it with tape.


CARD#6-This is by far the easiest of the set when it comes to creating!  I am a huge fan of Altenew's 3D embossing folders.  I only have 2, but my wish list is VERY LONG!  I ran a piece of dark purple cardstock through my machine using the  Daisy Bed 3D Embossing Folder.  Using a VersaMark pen, I inked the center of each flower, applied Iridescent Embossing Powder and heat embossed with my heat tool.  When this was dry, I applied White Pigment Ink over the raised parts of the petals using a (you guessed it) finger dauber. TIP-Pigment Ink takes longer to dry, so either heat set it with your heat gun or wait about 30 minutes.  

I absolutely love the way this card turned out and plan to make several more in different colors.  


Above is the hand made gift box for my cards.  I used the gold foil cardstock for the "ribbon".  I just cut my strips wider than the ones I used on my card and adhered them to the box top. Below are instructions for the box.

Measure the depth that you need for your box. I wanted my box to be 1 1/2" deep.  This measurement is placed in the end blanks of the equation. Since my cards are 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", I chose 4 1/2" as my width and 6" as my length.  This gives you the measurement for your cardstock.  Cut your cardstock 7 1/2" x 9" and score at 1 1/2" on all 4 sides. TIP-FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX ONLY-Before you score, cut a smidge (1/16") off of 2 sides that share a corner.  This helps your top to fit better and doesn't affect your end result.

Since I wanted my box top to be shorter in depth than my box bottom, I used 1" for my depth.  See the equation above.  Below is a screen shot to show you how to cut and adhere your box together.


See how nicely the cards fit into the box!  I made the box for my masculine set in the same way.


Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you found some inspiration and enjoyment. And give Altenew classes a look, you will not be disappointed.

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