Stretch Your Supplies With Easy Creative Inking

I often forget just how transformative a bit of ink can be. And although today’s card features the new Flora & Fauna 4 stamps and dies – which are stunning – the inking on the Lavinia Layers Die really holds it’s own and offsets the image beautifully.

This card started with that gorgeous pocket watch and rose image. I stamped it in Warm Wool ink onto Arches Hot Pressed watercolor paper. Warm Wool is seriously one of my ride or die ink colors. And I especially love to use it in lieu of gray when I want a warmer neutral. I used Mungyo watercolors and chose a slightly vintage color palette to watercolor the large floral image. I used the companion die to cut it out and then cut a few more from white cardstock to stack and create a more rigid chipboard-like piece. This way I did not need to use any foam tape when adhering and no worries about it getting bent or sagging.

For the background, I cut a panel from Vicki Boutin’s Foundations mixed media paper. I started layering color using the ink smooshing technique. Smoosh some ink onto an acetate sheet, spritz with water, and then smoosh the acetate sheet randomly onto your panel, depositing the color. Add more ink and/or water as desired. I used Distress Inks in Weathered Wood and Speckled Egg. I then inked up our Wood Planks stamp set with Distress Oxide in Brushed Corduroy and stamped it unevenly and randomly across the panel. For more distressing, I used a damp paint brush to smear some of the stamping, this added those bright orangey-yellow hues when the ink separates. For even more interest, I added some random text stamping in Warm Wool as well.

I wanted the background to stay rather light and airy, but I also wanted to separate the florals from the background more. I wanted a distressed metal frame. But, I do not have many metal embellishments. I don’t use them often as they tend to add lots of weight and bulk. This is where the creative inking comes in.

I took another panel of Vicki Boutin’s Foundations mixed media paper and colored it with Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide ink. I took the pad straight to the paper and then used a sponge applicator to smooth it and spread it out. I wasn’t worried about a perfect blend, as I was about to create a ton of mottled texture anyway. Next I used a dry sea sponge to apply color all over, alternating between Black Soot Distress Ink and Distress Oxide. I just kept dab, dab, dabbing all over randomly. I also added a few dabs using Brushed Corduroy Distress Oxide and a little White Gesso. This is all a “feel” process. Keep going and adding more until you feel like it’s right. There is truly no “right” or “wrong.

Once I felt it was good enough, I die cut the frame using Lavinia Layers from my inked panel and then trimmed off the outer edge. Again, I stacked a few diecuts one on top of another for rigidity. And Voila! I now have my own little faux metal frame. I used the left over “metal” inked panel to heat emboss the “friend” sentiment and again, used the companion die to cut it out. I love how it all mimics the metal hands of the pocket watch and adds that pop of contrast.

There are also butterflies included in Flora & Fauna 4 that are perfect for this image. But, I was being a tad lazy, and already had this butterfly from Flora & Fauna 3 watercolored and cut out. And it happened to match the orangey-yellow tones in the background. It was serendipitous…so it had to be use. LOL

I added a few gears, some metal corner flourishes, and twine for a little something extra and finished it off with splatters…of course. I’m actually extremely happy with how this turned out. It’s quite a bit more fussy than I normally create. But, it is fun to explore different styles and techniques. It certainly keeps things fresh and exciting. How about you? Do you like exploring outside of your comfort zone?

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed today’s card. And hopefully, I’ve inspired you to give this or something similar a try!