birds, butterfly, and bee card

Created by: Trisha Neal, Design Team Member Description: fun little bird, butterfly, and bee card. Stamp Set Used: Vintage Illustrated Birds set, Nature Medallions Fun little card on black cardstock, with crayon accents. :)trisha

8 Ways to Use Grunge It Up Stamps

 

by Stacey Dunning

We originally designed the Grunge It Up stamps to help utilize bold stamps that looked a little dated and give them a hip and urban feel.  Since we introduced them two years ago, we

Easy Art Journal

 

by Stacey Dunning, Blockheads Paper Arts

This journal page was created using our Grunge It Up Stamp Set with Distress and Memento Ink Pads, the Cubist Crafter's Workshop Template,  and Gelato Paint Sticks.

Proud as a Peacock Graduation Cards

Created by: Stacey Dunning

Description: Proud as Peacock Graduation Cards

Stamp Set Used: Proud as a Peacock from Blockheads.

Both of these cards use a fun technique developed my Mary Jo McGraw several years ago.  It's one I always come back to when I want some subtle but vibrant color behind an embossed image.  She does

Inked Crafters Workshop Template Backgrounds

Created by: Stacey Dunning, Design Team Member Description: Crafter's Workshop Template Backgrounds Stamp Set Used: Blockheads stamps Maple Leaves from Nature-Leaves Set and Whimsical Dragonfly from the Take Flight Stamp Set. After playing with the the newest designs of Crafter's Workshop templates, here are two techniques I came up with that are a little different than I've seen before.

More Isle of Aud

I know it appears I'm addicted to the Isle of Aud stamps, ok maybe.  I really wanted to use the images in a more realisitic way with less fantasy coloring. 

Here is my list of products:

InLinkz.com

Basic Instructions: All of the mottled backgrounds were created by applying Distress ink directly to

Isle of Aud Safari Cards

These images from Lost Coast Designs are all fictional creatures with beautiful detail and designs.  Sometimes I color them realistic colors to downplay the "aud"ness and other times I play it up with bizarre colors.  They are a great size for the center image on a card, leaving lots of room for embellishing or for ATCs.  I colored all my images in advance using Prismacolor Pencils. Read more for information on how to create the alcohl ink backgrounds, a list of supplies and larger images.

Technique Challenge

This technique is called Sanded Color Block Card.  The only items you need are any brand of embossing folder, bone folder or burnishing tool, sand paper, glossy cardstock and at least one color of Distress Stains.

Distress Stain Background Technique #3

This is my third and final Distress Stains backgrounds post.  This one was actually of my favorite.  I created a full 8.5" x 11" sheet of cardstock with this background which I then cut into four, so even though it took longer than the other backgrounds I still get a pretty good return on my investment of time.

For this project you'll need the following:

Plain white cardstock
Memento Ink Pad, london fog
Distress Stain, tumbled glass
Lost Coast Bubble Border stamp
Lost Coast Adrien Doll stamp
Colored Pencils, watercolor or regular

Stamp the Bubble Border several times using the Memento london gray ink pad.  Perfect spacing won't matter much by the time you cut this cardstock into 4 backgrounds.  Using your pencils color the outside of several larger bubbles using greens and blues.  This takes awhile.  I find they look more bubble-like by leaving the white center. 

Use the Distress Colorwash directly on the paper in the spaces between the bubble borders. I added a little definition to the edge of the stamped image with a silver paint pen. To embellish the card cut a piece of green Shimmer Sheetz in a wave shape and and used 3 sizes of hole punches to try to mimic the bubble border. The Adrien Doll stamp was colored using colored pencils, cut out and applied to the card using ATG tape down the center with a couple pop dots under each wing.

 Trim the 1/4" off the edges the cardstock all the way around to remove the areas that weren't stamped by the 8" stamp.  Cut the paper into four 4" x 5 1/4" pieces.

I added a little definition to the edge of the stamped image with a silver paint pen. To embellish the card cut a piece of green Shimmer Sheetz in a wave shape and and used 3 sizes of hole punches to try to mimic the bubble border. The Adrien Doll stamp was colored using colored pencils, embellished with Stickles glitter glue, cut out and applied to the card using ATG tape down the center with a couple pop dots under each wing.

Distress Stain Background Technique #2

The background I used for this card was the easiest of the 3 different distress stain backgrounds I created.  Once again, I've used the Lost Coast Designs Bubble Background Stamp.

Items Needed:

Memento Ink Pad - London Fog

Black Ink any brand

Teal cardstock

Any interesting blue specialty paper or leftover paper from other projects

Distress Stains: broken china, tumbled glass and crushed olive

Uncoated White Cardstock

Lost Coast Stamps: Bubble Background, Wing Mermaid

Colored Pencils

Inkssentials white opaque pen

Spray bottle with water

Non-stick Craft Sheet, Wax Paper or Aluminum Foil

The first step is to stamp the bubble background in Memento London Fog ink or another waterproof gray ink. 

If you don't have a non-stick craft sheet handy, you can use a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper.  You simply want to keep from staining your work surface.  Use three colors of dabbers and apply some ink directly to your craft sheet.  Spritz with water until you see small droplets form like shown.

Put your stamped cardstock face down into the distress pools.  You can pick it up and re-apply color in areas you want to add more color.

I actually used up my first batch of color and aded a little more to the craft sheet and continued.  I sped up the drying process with a heat tool and allowed the background to straighten out under a heavy book for a couple hours.  I then used colored pencils to color in some of the bubbles in various sizes.  Markers would also work for this.  I drew small dots in the upper right area of the bubbles I colored using the Inkssentials opaque pen.  This makes them look more like bubbles instead of just dots.  I also stamped the bubble background in black on some interesting cardstock I had from another project and punched 1" circles out of it as well as some teal cardstock so I could make 3 larger floating bubbles.

I used Copic Markers to color the mermaid, but colored pencils or other markers would work well.  I also embellished with some pearl color embellishments on the circle bubble cut-outs and white opal liquid pearls on the wings and crown.  Finally I added some waterfall color Stickles around the edge of the cardstock after I assembled the card for just a little more of a magical glitter look.

More Distress Stain Ideas-Stamp Using Stains 3

Hello Stamping Buddies!
This if the third and last segment for the Stamp With Distress stains Tutorials.  This card uses the Daisy border stamp from the Daisies Set.

List of Materials:
Daisies Stamp Set
Distress Stain: Vintage Photo
Yellow Watercolor Crayon
White China Marker Pencil of a White Watercolor Crayon
Glossy White CS
Yellow and Tan CS
Dimensional Adhesive

For this card, I wanted to see what the Distress Stains would do on Glossy CS.   The first step is to apply the Stain to the Glossy CS in  swiping motion.

Dry with a heat tool.  Apply the stain to the rubber stamp in a daubing and swiping motion.  Be careful not  to get too much ink on the stamp.  Practice a few times.  Stamp the Daisies twice with the stain.  Dry with a heat tool.

And, this is what you should end up with.  I was really pleased with the way the Stain looked stamped on the Glossy CS.  I think it is the glossy paper that makes the difference here.  The stain seemed to just sit on top of the paper which is what I wanted with this image.

Next, I thought a little color on the Daisies would be really nice.   I colored the centers with a Yellow Watercolor Crayon (NOT a pencil).  I would have colored the petals with a white watercolor crayon, but I do not have one.  What I did have was a White China Marker.  No idea where this was purchased.  (I am pretty sure I raided my husband's drafting supply box for this marker.  LOL).

So, I really like  how the China Marker looks.  Don't try to use a Watercolor Pencil.  The tip is too hard and you don't want to add any water....your stain will go all over the place.   Now, I did try a White Gel pen and I think that looks kind of nice too.  Here is the Gel pen colored daisies.  I will use this on some other project.

To finish this project, I made a card from tan CS and layered with bright yellow CS.  I layered the stamped piece on a second lighter tan CS.  I adhered this onto the card base with dimensional squares.  A wide satin white ribbon was tied around the card.

And of course, I wanted to show you how I decorated the inside.  I stamped on the Tan CS with the Distress Stain and layered in some yellow CS.

I had a blast working with the Distress Inks.  Just seems like there is a lot you can do with them.  I have just scraped the surface with the ideas here.  Have fun!!    Hope you have a great day.
Karen McAlpine

More Distress Stain Ideas-Stamp Using Stains 1

Hi Blockheads!
Karen from Dreaming and Creating here today with more ideas for using the new Distress Stains.  I will show you the results I achieved by stamping with the Stains.  I will split this post up into three segments because there is a lot of info.   For the first project, I used the large Butterfly from the Painted Butterflies Set.

List of Supplies:
Painted Butterfly Stamp set
Border from Japanese Musicians Set
Thanks Sentiment from Flowers-Daisies Set
Distress Stains: Peeled Paint, Wild Honey
Distress Ink: Peeled Paint
Black Dye Ink
Cardstock: white,dark green

So, let's get started.   Apply the Stain directly to the rubber stamp.  There is a sponge top applicator on the bottle.  Don't get too much stain on the stamp or your image will look like a blob.  I had to practice a bit to get the right amount.  I found that swiping and dabbing the bottle across the stamp worked best.  Hint: The Stains are very wet and you will have to dry with a heat gun between steps.  If the stamped image or background is not dry it will smear.  

I stamped on White CS and this is how it turned out.  The effect is nice and soft.  Dry with heat gun.

I trimmed this piece down and added more Distress Stain in Wild Honey to cover the background.  Just swipe the bottle across the paper to apply the Stain.  Dry with heat gun.

Cut the piece down to size and distress the edges with Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

To add more interest, I swiped the Peeled Paint Distress Ink pad across the CS.  I just added little streaks here and there.

I cut another piece of White CS taller than the stamped piece, but  the same width.  I stamped the border from Japanese Musicians at the top and bottom using the Peeled Paint Stain.  Glue the Butterfly piece to the piece stamped with the borders.

Attach to a card made from dark green CS.  I wanted this to be a card I could send to someone so I added a Thank You sentiment with black ink.  A few pearls and we are done.   Here is how I finished the inside stamping with the Distress Stain again.   Lots of room to write a nice note.

Tomorrow I will be back with more Distress Stain stamping!  Here is a sneaky peek of tomorrow's project.

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and will give this technique a try.  It is so fun and easy.   Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
Karen