Beginner Card Making Class #2 INK

Continuing with the technique of "Paper Ink Stamp", our second class was focused on Ink.  While its somewhat of a challenge to go back to the basics after having stamped for 30 years, I do love showing others that its not difficult to make beautiful prints such as this.  Learning how to blend colors, with ink and the tools to do so is our focus today. Make sure to click on the color highlighted words to learn about the products and techniques!

To see the possibilities of using inks in addition to stamping, we tried three ways: 

1.  Use a drop of ink with a few spritzes of water, and add to your stamp as though it was paint. Then stamp your image which will look similar to a water colored image.  The Silicone Craft Sheet works well for a temporary "palette".

2.  Use a water base marker, such as the Stampin' Write markers, to cover the stamp, and spritz with water, then stamp the image. This also resembles a water colored image. Alcohol makers do not work with water spritzing.

3.  Take the ink/water mixture that remains on your "palette", the Silicone craft sheet, piece of plastic,  or plate you've used to mix the ink and water, and put your paper upside down on it to capture every drip of ink left. This makes for an interesting background piece that can be used for a sentiment tag, punched flower or background.

For the INK class print, black embossing powder was used first. Then using the Blending Brushes, and refill inks combined with water, blend the inks to complete a colorful background. Wipe the ink off of the embossed image.  Add ribbon or a sentiment tag.  Layer in black with 1/8 inch border, and attach with firm drying glue to card base. 

To make this print we started with white cardstock. The stamp set is called "Etched in Nature" and though currently unavailable, Stampin' Up! is working on upgrading it to meet their excellent standards. Message me if you have questions about that.

Use a watermark ink, in this case, Versamark, which is a clear sticky ink, to heat emboss with black embossing powder.  (If you're new to heat embossing, watch a short video as Karen Titus demonstrates the technique.) The embossed images are the "watermark" of this print as you add the color over the top and it doesn't change the embossed image.

To heat emboss:

1.  Choose your background paper color, can be white or color or black.

2.  Choose your embossing powder color to contrast or coordinate with your background. Karen Titus shows these varieties in her video as described above. 

Wipe across your card base with an "Embossing Buddy" which removes the static (that you can't see) before you stamp with Versamark to heat emboss.  Once you forget to do this first, you will see how the embossing powder gets all over the card and not just stick to the areas of versamark ink. An embossing buddy is a small bag with corn starch or similar powder inside.  You can purchase one at a variety of places or make your own. This video shows embossing and the use of the embossing buddy.  The embossing buddy in this photo is off to the right.

This technique is called "resist" and can also be done with white or clear embossing powder on white paper.  

Once you've embossed your image on the card base, then choose colors of inks you'll want to blend for the background. I like to identify a "light source" as though the sun was shining from one direction, but that's not necessary to make this print.  

The colors for this print are: Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, and Evening Evergreen (In Colors 2021).  The tools are the Blending Brushes, and Stampin' Write marker in the 2021 In Color, Pale Papaya.  I used the refill inks by combining one drop of the concentrated ink and spritzing it with water to get a desired shade.   

To use the inks like this, you'll need a piece of plastic or a non-porous surface, like the Silicone Craft Sheet, or a styrofoam plate, to mix the ink with water, and one that gives surface space for you to put a little of the ink on the brush and blend it around the paper.  I work on a plastic place mat with a large paper place mat underneath my print, to practice a swirling motion with the blending brush.

Here, I've embossed with clear embossing powder on a white background - think about what colors will surround your embossed image.  This photo shows how to hold the Blending Brush and to use a circular motion to apply the color.  You'll want to practice on scrap paper first to prevent a big blob of ink all in one place. Like any new tool or technique, it just takes a few times before you discover what works best for you.  

After blending one color across the card base, take a lint free cloth (not Kleenex) and rub away the ink that will remain on top of the embossed image.  The ink on the paper will dry shortly.  Keep that in mind if you want to add blue right next to yellow but don't want to end up with green. Give the ink time to dry if you don't want a blended color. However, if you want purple from pink and blue, blend it immediately.  Experiment on a separate piece of paper - the ideas become endless.

I did try to add ink from a Stampin' Write marker and rub it off but it absorbs instantly into the paper and leaves a deeper shade. (the bottom edge of the card - top photo)

Here is a print made with no embossed image but with using the blending brushes and ink on textured water color paper.

Here are a couple of prints from the INK class.  Not one is the same and that's the beauty of art!  Remember this: you are the artist.  Your print is your perception of the idea - there are no mistakes! 

Go and experiment with blending your colors and feel free to post your print in the comments below.  If you're interested in Stampin' Up! products, I'd love to share this fun with you.  Just check out the highlighted links above and more posts on this blog.

Thanks for stopping by! sb

 

Card Making - a little at a time

When you begin a new hobby, or are upgrading your supplies and tools like I did in the summer of 2020, take some time to decide your intention for getting more supplies and tools.   If you're a new hobbyist, beginner card maker, or casual paper crafter and just came to this post to discover what basic supplies you need to be a card maker, skip on down to the red words and read the supply list.  But I'm telling you, you should read the whole thing, because you might need this wisdom some day.  😀

Am I going to make cards and paper crafting projects regularly? How will I use the projects I make?

How old are the products I already have?  Will I find that using the old products and tools are more of a hindrance than a help?

Will I have the space to store them properly for care, and for use?

Am I prepared to replace the consumables (Paper, embellishments, glue, ink refills) regularly?

What is my long term goal for accumulating stamp sets, dies, and tools?

Beginning in the spring of 2020 when all of  our lives changed - we were staying home more than some of us wanted (Me!) and eventually working on projects we'd put off for that "rainy day" when we might have more time or interest (that meant now!). One of those tasks for me was out a lifetime of craft supplies and organizing my craft room. Now it wasn't just cleaning - you know, like vacuuming the corners and walls, but opening every cupboard door and drawer and box lid. Yikes!  You mean I really have had that for ten years and never opened it once?!  

I started a "I don't use this" box and another, "I guess I've realized I'm not interested in doing this anymore" box which was really hard.  It didn't fill up as quickly as I had hoped.  $300 later - the result of selling my useable craft supplies, not only gave me more space, but a new outlook as to what I really wanted to spend my time doing - making cards.  Also 2020 had opened up my mind (and probably yours, too) to the necessity of sending cards to so many people in need, as I say, to "cheer up the world, one card at a time." 

I began to watch Stampin' Up Demonstrators and others of every paper crafting product and company teaching how to make the most amazingly beautiful cards. I was still under the belief that YouTube was for wacky things and old, old television shows. Boy! was I wrong! There's probably still wacky things and old television shows, but now I was learning the latest card making techniques, and the tools and products needed to do them. I was hooked on the fun folds. Here's some samples of ones I've made:

Cube Card

and the Z folds and the pocket cards, and ......and......good thing I had already asked myself the questions, so I'd know what direction I needed to go. 

If you are at the point where you should clean out your supplies - just get started with the questions because the boxes will come next and you'll be able to fill them up. It really is freeing - yes, you can do it - tell yourself that someone else will be delighted to get a box of products for their new hobby. Why do all that, soul searching questions and boxes, you say? so I wouldn't end up with every paper crafting product from every company under the sun and in 10 years have to go through this mess again!  

 Even if you've never been a craft collector like me, and are just getting started, this post is for you too!  Here's the list of what I would recommend for a beginner card maker (or what basic supplies to keep from your lifelong list of craft collectibles). Click on each link to see the product and read the description below it.

Basic White Cardstock  $9.75/40 (U.S. prices) (you can get 80 cards out of 1 pkg)

Basic Stamp Set Or a stamp set that will give a variety of uses and icons $5.50 - 23.00

Black Ink pad $6.00

Ink Spots and Ink Refills $9.00/5 of the mini "spot" pads for you to add your choice of color; $3.75 for the refills  and two or more colors

Of course you would need envelopes for the A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch) card.  Or make the mini slimline that uses a regular letter envelope or the slimline that uses a No. 10 business envelope.  You can make your own envelopes out of a variety of paper as long as its not too thin.  I often use old calendar pages, but make sure to use a white label so the postman can read the address clearly.  You'll find envelopes here. $7.50/40

You will need a good pair of scissors, a cutter with measurements  and adhesive and glue. This glue gives you a few seconds to reposition your item before it adheres completely.  It is very strong and also  recommended for its fine tip on one end and wide tip on the other.

 If you didn't want to invest in the ink colors, or a detailed stamp set in the beginning, you could start with the black ink pad for a sentiment, and DSP - designer series paper which is double sided, and could yield as many as 72 cards out of one 12x12 pkg. ($11.50 - $15.00)

There are two other ways to make cards without investing in too much in the beginning: kits.  The kits come with precut designs that are double sided, and of course, coordinating colors; pre-printed sentiments and tags, envelopes and all the pieces you need to make cards and for a reasonable price.

                                                                         $10/50 cards  

                                    You might also like the monthly subscription kit, Paper Pumpkin, 

                                    

This kit includes everything needed to make 6-8 themed cards.  This is also a fun activity for kids.  Get one month. Two months, six or more. Save money the more months you subscribe to.  This is also a good way to increase your variety of inks, and stamps which are not included in any other catalog.  

There's alot to think about here, but I can assure you, after making cards for 30+ years, that there is great enjoyment in making cards to include in a gift, to give to a friend, and to have on hand for the many events that surprise us which we need a card for.   

Card making - a little at a time - is how this can be done.  Some crafters fall in love and want it all, all at once. Some crafters enter the hobbyist stage acquiring a few supplies and intend to add to their collection. 

Whatever your interests or goals, I hope you find this helpful.  Come and join the community of card making. Watch videos, look at scads of designs and ideas from card makers around the world, then use your imagination to create a cheerful greeting; and help to "cheer up the world - one card at a time" as I say.   

I hope you find these suggestions helpful. (thanks for reading to the end!😮)  I'd love to know if you are a card maker. Will you share your project below?  Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!  sb

 

You're Invited - APRIL CARD CLASS

                You're invited - Beginners and Avid Stampers

APRIL CARD CLASS

                                                 WED. April 14

      11 am to 1 pm

         Rare Earth Café, Ishpeming

     $5 – make two cards, door prize

Stampin' Up products - New Catalog coming May 4

Unboxing Paper Pumpkin Card Kit – we’ll open Paper Pumpkin kit together, and each make a card from the kit!

Supplies will be provided. Bring your adhesive, scissors or paper cutter

Please join me for lunch, or coffee and dessert following the class (Dutch treat)

Space is limited to FIVE. Masks required to enter.

RSVP  Please!

Sue Boback, Independent Demonstrator

Sboback54@gmail.com * FB Messenger * 360-3970 text