Sorry I have been absent for so long! I was having a dip in my mojo and then life got in the way. I recently was at a used craft product sale and saw lots of customers who used to come in to Art 'n Soul, the art stamp store where I used to work. I mentioned that I had not posted in my blog for awhile, and they said "yes, we've noticed." They told me that they enjoyed my postings and really liked the techniques. It was such nice feedback that I thought I would start posting again. I actually HAVE been making cards all along, and had some photos, so I will try to post more regularly.
One of the first cards I made after I stopped posting was unfortunately a sympathy card. I find this type of card to be the hardest I ever have to make, so when I make one I usually make several at a time. For sympathy cards I prefer to keep it simple.
I find that a blended color background with a silhouette stamp added in black ink is a good combination for lots of kinds of cards. In this case, rather than doing all brush blending, I applied Distress ink onto an acrylic block and spritzed with water so that the water and ink do the blending for you.
I prefer to add the ink to the block with ink cubes, which will allow you to add more blocks of color. I did end up adding a few blending touches with small brushes. This is so easy to do, and with brighter colors, you could use this background technique for lots of kinds of cards.
The ones that show a grid pattern were done using Tim Holtz acrylic blocks, which contain an etched grid. I like how the grid adds extra texture and interest.
After cutting these out with a crimped edge die, I matted my selected panel with black cardstock and mounted onto a 110# cardstock base.
Products Used:
Distress ink cubes: Antique Linen,
Scattered Straw, Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters,
Barn Door, Forest Moss
The Greetery GD-M-016 Crimped Frame Die
Impression Obsession C13521 Heartfelt Sympathy
The Greetery Lovely Silhouettes Stamp Set
Neenah Solar White Classic Crest cardstock 80# and 110#
PTI True Black Cardstock
Various Acrylic Blocks
