Easy Ink Blending

I’m trying to find my groove with ink blending as I frequently end up with harsh edges. My process with card making is spontaneous. I don’t plan the design ahead of time.

But after Amy Lee’s wonderful ink blending class, I knew I wanted to try an ink blended background with a focus area near the middle of the card.

It turned out to be harder than I expected to start the ink blending in the middle of the card and produce a soft result. Professionals make it look so easy! I was used to starting off the edge of the paper, so my first attempt…not so successful.

I felt I needed a buffer between blending sponge and paper and a stencil seemed like just the ticket. So I grabbed a stencil and Weathered Wood Distress Ink and got to work. I was SO happy with the results!!

Next I stamped and die cut some flowers with Altenew’s Garden Treasure Stamp & Die Bundle. I used a mix of Hero Arts and Simon Says Stamp inks. My Altenew Ink cubes arrived today and I can’t wait to play!!!

Then…what to do for the sentiment? I had an area of heavier distress ink near the center but I felt a stamped sentiment would get lost or feel too busy. I considered stamping on a separate piece of cardstock, but thought it might look to disjointed.

Inspiration struck, and Altenew’s Bold Alphabet Dies came to the rescue. I squared up the letters with my T-Square ruler, sucked in a deep breath, and cut right through my ink blended masterpiece. 

I popped the card front up on craft foam, die cut 4 more hi’s from Fog Grey cardstock by Simon Says Stamp, stacked them up and inlaid the die cuts.

The card was finished off with Glossy Accents on the pink flower, ebony Nuvo Drops on the daisy, and Pretty Pink Posh Clear Flat Sequins. I added some Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Pen to the flowers and greenery and called it.

This is my 3rd submission to the Altenew Educator Certification Program. Thanks for stopping by. Breathe · Ink · Inspire