Technique of the Week: Black and White

In conjunction with the Art 'n Soul newsletter, this is this week's technique. After I posted the technique on applying white paint through a stencil opening, and Zentangling on it (you can see that post here) a lot of people told me they liked it, but they aren't Zentanglers. Many said they really like the black and white look also.

Even though i still think you should try Zentangling, I realize it's not for everyone, and I'm here to help. this post is not really so much a technique as an idea: you can use small pattern stamps to simulate the look of Zentangled images.

I got some small Magenta pattern stamps that I love; some black 1.5" Artboard Squares (also love), and Memento Luxe white ink. The Magenta stamps are: Deco Square 14.458.F; Crosshatched Heart 42.239.C; and Background 0290.E.

This card was super simple and fast. I stamped the little pattern stamps onto the black artboard squares with the Memento Luxe white ink. One of these squares didn't make the cut, (0243.I Dandelion Pollen) although I really liked it. I decided that I liked the arrangement of 3 across better than 4 arranged in a square. I'll use the 4th one for another project.

Taking a white base card, I mounted a strip of Beauty Pink So Silk cardstock that had been embossed with the new We R Memory Keepers Next Level embossing folder "Wave".

The Art Squares were popped up on top of the So Silk strip, using foam tape.

The sentiment was added using Magenta's Multilingual Birthday stamp 07.907.L. I taped off the other lines and just used the top one.

I sprinkled on some sequins using Ranger multi medium matte adhesive, and added a dot of Stickles to the center of each.

Magenta Products Used

14.458.F  Deco Square

0290.E Background

42.239.C Crosshatched Heart

0243.I Dandelion Pollen

07.907.L Multilingual Happy Birthday

Other Products Used

Inchie Arts 1.5" Black Artboard Squares

Memento Luxe Wedding Dress Pigment Ink

So Silk Beauty Pink cardstock

We R Memory Keepers Next Level "Wave" embossing folder

Versafine Onyx Black ink

Various sequins

Ranger Multi Medium Matte adhesive

Technique of the Week: Zentangled Black Inchies

In conjunction with the Art 'n Soul Newsletter, this is an expanded version of Technique of the Week, published today.

I got this idea from a post by Cindy Shepard, CZT. She was using stencils and white paint on black paper and Zentangling in the white space. I decided to take it a step further and use one of my favorite mediums: Art Squares by Inchie Arts.

I used a 3" black Art Square, and a great new stencil by Magenta (TM146) (I could not do a link for you to this mini sized heart on their site, but we can get them exclusively - for now - at Art 'n Soul). 

Most any size Art Square would work for this, depending on the stencil you're using.

Using Dylusions White Linen paint by Dyan Reaveley of Ranger, I dipped a mini blending tool into the paint and rubbed it around on my craft mat to work the paint into the sponge.

I positioned the stencil over the Art Square, and applied the white paint with the blending tool.

When the paint was dry, it was a perfect canvas for Zentangling. The ink in a Micron pen is the same color as the black Art Square, and if you need to make some of the edges neater you can do so. I added Zentangle patterns into the white spaces of this gorgeous little heart from Magenta. You could do less if you wish, and leave more of the white; it's up to you. This was really quick and fun to do.    

Be sure to wash off your mat, your sponge (blending tool) and your stencil.

I inked just the first two lines of the Magenta stamp 07.927.H (Multilingual I Love You) with Versamark Ink. Using a stamp positioner, I lined it up and stamped; then embossed with JudiKins White Diamond embossing powder. I love how it turned out!

In Progress

To finish the card, I prepared a base card of Neenah Solar White 110# cardstock. I took a strip of So Silk Beauty Pink cardstock (2.25" x 5.5") and dry embossed with a We R Memory Keepers Next Level embossing folder (Wave 662676).

[Just a note about this embossing folder: we are trying to get them in the shop and they are being backordered quite a bit, but we are going to keep trying. They are very worth it; they give a beautiful look to your embossing. They are, however, thicker than a normal embossing folder, and they are 6"x6", so they do not fit into a Cuttlebug. The sandwich for the Big Shot varies depending on the model that you have, but if you do not open the tabs, lay your folder with the cardstock inside onto the base plate and use only one cutting plate. I tried opening one tab, and using two plates like we would normally do with an embossing folder, and it was too thick to go through. I ended up opening all the tabs, and it went through, but shot one cutting plate and the folder across the room!]

I adhered everything down with Scot Tape, and placed various sequins, adhered with Ranger Multi Medium Matte adhesive.

Magenta Products Used

TM146 Celebrating Heart (small)
This mini 4" size is available exclusively at Art 'n Soul,
but will be widely available soon

07.927.H Multilingual I Love You

Other Products Used

Inchie Arts 3" Black Art Square

Ranger Dylusions White Linen Paint 

Distress Mini Blending Tool

Micron Pen

Versamark Ink

JudiKins White Diamond embossing powder

So Silk Beauty Pink cardstock

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110# cardstock

Various sequins

Scor Tape

Ranger Multi Medium Matte adhesive

Diamond Stickles