Ink blending techniques with Stamping With Friends blog hop

Hi there crafters,

I’m joining the team from Stamping with Friends for a blog hop today that focuses on the technique of blending ink. To create this card, I have used blending brushes in a variety of ways which really give depth to the card.

Blending brushes are probably one of my favourite things to teach when I have a workshop. The depth that you get from using them on card stock alone is stunning. For this card I have added both granny Apple green and as you are afternoon to the top and bottoms of panels that were run through an embossing folder. Adding the ink really makes the ridges of the embossing pop out.

I love that stamping up release masks that colour in images. I’ve used a butterfly which was a part of our foiling system release. By using just blending brushes with some ink and layering them up using the masks, the pattern of colouring that gives you a finish that you just can’t replicate any other way. It’s also a simple way to colour in an image. I have several of these mask collections in my stash and love to get them out to show beginners as these are a real wow factor when adding to your purchases.

Whilst ink blending isn’t a part of the technique that we are focusing on, I did want to highlight that I use twine in my projects to Colour match. The easy way to use this is with blending brushes and an ink pad. I lay the twine over the ink pad surface and tap and brush the blending brushes until all of the fibres died with the ink. No messy fingers!

 

I had so much fun creating today’s project, this is one of my favourite Techniques, it’s one of my go to things to add to a card. I’m excited that the rest of the team will be highlighting even more hints and tips, please follow the links below. Don’t forget to leave a little love and say hi in the comments.

New at SU! From Simple to Stepped Up

Hey there crafters, welcome to the August blog hop with the team from New at SU!.  

Our theme this month is all about starting simple and then stepping it up.  

I decided to use the Greenery Lane stamps for my first card.  It was a combination of Shaded Spruce, Pretty Peacock and Night of Navy.  Such a pretty combination.  The Greenery Lane stamps are created to use 2 step stamping to fill in the outlined images.  There is also a small flower stamp, great for beginners to create a background without the use of Designer Series Paper.  

Using a few layers of cardstock really creates a focal point, the main idea for todays blog hop is to make sure you add a little bit more, use a few tricks and techniques to step up the second card.  Below is what I added to change the card to make it a little more complex, a little 'prettier' with the additional of multi-tones and additional embellishements.  

If you have never used a Blender pen, it is a great way to add subtle colouring.  Use the pen to pick up some ink from the outline.  It can really be even lighter than generational stamping!

I love texture on a card and although the first card had some with the additional of some simple stamping on the card base, this made it even more dimensional using an embossing folder and some edge blending for tone on tone inking.  

The Greenery Lane stamps also have a matching set of die.  Usually a bundle will not only help die cut and add dimension to stamped images (use dimensional dots to the die cut images) but it often has smaller images that can be beautifully die cut to use as colour matched embellishments.  These tiny flowers make it easy to heat emboss on the Night of Navy cardstock and add it to add more feminine touches!

Finally, instead of searching through your stash of self adhesive embellishments, be sure you always have a selection of pale of white embellishments that your can customise to your project.  Just add a few layers of alcohol based colour in our Stampin Blends!  If you haven't done this before, give it a try because it really matches well.  

I hope you have enjoyed todays projects, I think both are fabulous cards!  If you want to add a little more to your projects, I hope you can try some of these ideas.  Be sure to hop along to the rest of the team members.... their ideas for elevating will also be handy.  

Happy Stamping, 

Rach x

September Global Monthly Video Hop

A great collection of product lists that match the below Youtube Global Monthly Video Hop... here is my card.  Lots of layers and some fun techniques using some newer products including a great  stamp that matches some of the HOT FOIL release.  Jump over to grab your PDF by clicking the image above....

Happy Stamping,

Rach x

New at SU! - You've been foiled blog hop

 Hey there crafters, welcome to the August blog hop with the team from New at SU!.  Our theme this month is focused on the new Stampin' Up! Hot Foil System!!!  

This has been an exciting time, as we introduce a brand new tool to use in our crafting.   The pretty foil adds sparkle and finishes off projects so beautifully!

I wanted to play around with the Garden Silhouette die, paired with gold foil.  I had seen so many people playing with this combination and wanted to try it with some ink blending as the background. 

  

Flourish and Frames stamp set included an adorable bee stamp, which although is a part of one of the hot foil bundles, is also a great stand alone stamp!  I made sure that I heat embossed the bee in gold, to match the foiled and inked panel.  In addition to the theme of gold, I added some gold foil cardstock to mat my sentiment... why not a bit more shine!!  If you look closely, both these cards have been created using the same products with one difference....  

Can you spot it?

Since its Hot Foil System's release, I believe Stampin' Up! are going to made a flat die available for purchase, making sure the 'leftover' foil can be used a second time to create a negative image.  I didn't wait for that, and instead used the backside of the large die (which is flat) to run the 'leftover foil' negative through the Cut n Emboss machine whilst it was still hot. 

 I made sure I ran it through VERY SLOWLY! I was thrilled with the results and meant I could create 2 cards using both the positive and negative images.

To add the colour to the white cardstock, I simply and gently used my ink blending brushes with a collection of different colours.  The foil didn't come off when adding the colour (yes, I was scared that it might flake off!) and seems to easily resist to ink, leaving a beautiful panel to use in your card.  

I hope you have enjoyed todays project, I am loving to learn a whole new way of crafting.  I can't wait to show this to my lovely crafting friends during workshops! Be sure to hop along to the rest of the team members.... their ideas in using this amazing new tool,  will also be inspiring.  

Happy Stamping, 

Rach x

Come Create a Card with Me - Foiled card (sketch) -Freebie PDF

  Hi there crafters!

Welcome to this weeks Youtube video.... This card uses a sketch to tackle creators block... using a sketch and some foiling.  

Be sure to pop over to the video to watch.  Grab your PDF freebie instruction sheet too by clicking the link on the side bar.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael

 

Come Create a Card with me - Barely Blush triple arch card

 Hi there crafters!

Welcome to this weeks Youtube video.... This bright card used the newest Product of the Month... 

Be sure to pop over to the video to watch.  Grab your PDF freebie instruction sheet too by clicking the link on the side bar.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael

 

Bonus PDF freebie from this weeks HOP video

Hi there crafters,

 In case you are following along, I created a more detailed PDF for this Global Monthly Video Hop for this month.  I hope you enjoy following along.

Click on the image to download and print your own copy

Happy Stamping

Rachael 

Global Monthly Video Hop - Fun folds freebies!!!

This months Global Monthly Video Hop on Youtube is a beauty... we have 8 different videos that show you step by step to create a variety of FUN FOLDS!!!

If you would like a free PDF that lists the products you need to create the samples, pop over by clicking on the image below. 

Don't forget to say hi to the team on Youtube too, they would love to hear what you think about their projects. 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael x

 

Stamping with Friends - Bloggers Choice

Hi there crafters, I'm excited that we have a Bloggers Choice theme this time around!  

I've been waiting to create this card, as its been sitting in my head for a while. I've had the Festive Cheer bundle since it became available on Preorder.  I love the idea of baubles of all different colours!  

You can also see a peek of the new Hot Foil System die called Swiss Dots.... a classic and understated background that was perfect for this card.  I've paired it with Secret Sea and Golden Glow.... simplicity!  

I was so happy with how quickly this came together and love the background tone on tone stamping in Golden Glow which finished it off!  

I'm keen to see what the rest of the group creates for this hop, a bloggers choice theme is always full of surprises and inspiration.  

Be sure you hop along to the rest of the blogs, leave a little love in the comments.  I'm sure you will be full of ideas ready for your next crafting session.

Happy Stamping,

Rach x

Christmas in July with the Global Monthly Video Hop team... PDF FREEBIE

Hi there crafters,

I wanted to make sure you have downloaded this FREE PDF that our team created to match this special event from July over on Youtube.  All 6 projects not only have the list of products to use but also a QR code that takes you straight to the video for you to watch and create along with us.  Be sure to grab these tutorials and start planning your Christmas early this year!

Happy Stamping,

Rachael x

 

Youtube Video Hop - an invitation to fellow SU! demonstrators

 Hi there crafters, 

The Global Monthly Video Hop group is inviting Stampin Up Demonstrators to join in our "Free Choice" video tutorial hop in September. We are a friendly group and are keen to make this an epic hop.  This is a one off hop, no need to commit to month by month hops!

The videos go live on the 10th of the month, all at the same time! Whether or not you have been participating in groups similar or are keen to jump in and try a video hop, we are welcoming everyone to join. If you are wanting to join in the Facebook group, click the link and follow the instructions to gain access.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18u2f6qP3M/

Hope to see people joining us

Rachael x