Playing with Ink Blending on Handmade Cards

 Hello world! It's been a while since I posted any creations. Rest assured, I have been crafting but at a much reduced level for the last while. I have been experimenting with some new tools and techniques of late though, so I wanted to share some of that.

Today, I'm sharing some ink blending. The first up is a no-risk ink blended panel. There's no risk to this one because the panel is a separate piece. If it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, then you simply start over - no card ruined!

I used a purple and a pink about half'n'half. Then I used a blue at the top to blend over the lighter pink to create a bit of a purple hue to the blue. I used dye-based inks for this one. For this panel, I blended on Copic Xpress It paper because it's the smoothest card I have. The card background is embossed with a chevron patterned embossing folder. Since that adds texture, I thought simple, plain, smooth white cardstock die cuts would be just fine.

Don't have die cuts? No problem. On this version, I literally scribbled a tree line and some trees. Absolutely no skill required!

It's simple but effective, if you ask me!

On the next card, I did a traditionally blue sky. It was inspired by Michelle Short of the Card Grotto. See her card here: MFT Stenciling. Her cards are always a clean and sharp design that I really like.

This one was done with Distress Oxide inks directly onto the card front. I masked off the edges and used my homemade cloud stencil for the bottom edge.

I tried to make it cheerful and masculine but rainbow is just not my style. I find, every time I try something rainbow, I end up not liking it. I work better in monochrome, I guess. So, I did another with a stamped image as the focal.

I like this one better, but I feel like the border was a little bit too wide. Still turned out cute though! How could it not with the ever super cute stamp set from Lawn Fawn? (Really High Five stamp set.)

Lastly, I tried spotlight ink blending. I used the same stamp for the first attempt:

 This was also with Distress Oxide ink and a blending sponge. You can see marks - it's not that smooth. So, I tried again with a dye in and a blending brush instead and I like this result MUCH better. It's directly inspired by a card made by Gina K. Designs in this video: See snowman spotlight ink blended video.

Do you like to ink blend? What style is your favourite?