Ink It Up! with Jessica Taylor

How to Use an Aqua Painter to Color a Stamped Image

One of the questions I frequently get asked is What is an Aqua Painter and how do you use it?  Watch the video below to find out!

 

Buy an Aqua Painter and give it a try!

Marker Technique: Thumping

It's kinda a gloomy day here today... I miss the sun!  So here's a BRIGHT card with a fun technique for you to try.  Hope it brightens your day!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flower Fest stamp set (122278 Wood or 122280 Clear)

Stampin' Write Markers: Pretty in Pink (100045), Regal Rose (105108) and Melon Mambo (121074)

Paper: Whisper White card stock (100730), Melon Mambo textured card stock (121077)

Accessories: 1-3/4 Scallop Circle punch (119854), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), Melon Mambo 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon (122985), 5/16" Whisper White Jumbo Brad (112534), SNAIL adhesive (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) 

Thumping Technique with Markers

1. Fully ink up the flower stamp with the brush-tip of the Pretty in Pink marker. 
2. Use the brush-tips of the Regal Rose and Melon Mambo markers to "thump" on additional color.  Stamp on Whisper White card stock. 

Want to SEE how to do this technique?  Head on over to the Ink It Up! Facebook Page and click the "Like" button to watch a video on how to do the thumping technique with markers.

Card made with the Baby Wipe Technique

This card was made by the amazingly talented Kim Vale using the Baby Wipe Technique.  It definitely has a WOW factor!

I love stamp sets that have coordinating punches and that's what Kim used on this card.

Mixed Bunch Stamp set (125535 wood or 125537 clear)

Blossom Punch (125603)

 

Are you wondering what the Baby Wipe Technique is?  Just stack a few baby wipes together and add a few dots of ink using different colors of ink refills.  Let them blend together and then use the stack of baby wipes just like you would a regular stamp pad. 
Try it!

 

Have you taken my Free Stamping Techniques eCourse Yet?

If 2012 is the year that YOU are going to become a better stamper and card maker, then I'm here to help!  Sign up for my FREE eCourse to learn the 5 Stamping Techniques that EVERY Card Maker Should Know. 

Once you sign up, you'll receive a lesson via email each day for 5 days.  These stamping techniques are basic ones that you'll use over and over again.

Start the FREE Stamping Techniques eCourse Now!

 

 

What Should I Use to Color in My Stamped Images?

This is a question that I get a lot.  There are so many options: markers, watercolor crayons, watercolor pencils, ink,... and more.  It is really a matter of personal preference and the result that you desire. 

Here are two cards that are exactly the same, except one is colored with markers and one is colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen.  Scroll down to see close ups and more details about the differences.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Polar Party stamp set (122675 Wood or 122677 Clear)

Ink: Jet Black StazOn ink pad (101406); Certainly Celery (105106), Real Red (100052), Pacific Point (120968), Daffodil Delight (119677), and Soft Suede (120973) Stampin' Write Markers

Card stock: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Certainly Celery (105125)

Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons - Brights (119804), Subtles (119802) and Neutrals (119805); Blender Pens (102845), Illuminate Top Coat Accent Ink (121084)

 

Coloring with Markers

These trees were colored in with the Stampin' Write Markers.
The markers give a little darker, even color.  Use the brush-tip end of the marker for coloring in larger areas and the fine-tipped end for smaller detailed areas.

 

Coloring with Watercolor Crayons

These trees were colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a Blender Pen.
This technique gives you a little more control over the color and allows you to do more shading and get a more "watercolored" look.  Start with the lighter colors, let dry, and then move to darker colors.  Use the tip of the blender pen to pick up color from the end of the watercolor crayon for the smaller detailed areas.

 

What is your favorite way to color stamped images? 

Please leave a comment and let us know!

 

Three Wise Men Embossed Christmas Card

If you haven't made Christmas cards by now, you're probably not going to make them for everyone this year.  But, I still have a few more ideas to share with you and this is one that you might want to make for someone extra special.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Come to Bethlehem stamp set (118732 Wood or 120591 Clear)

Ink: VersaMark Pad (102283), Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Pad (119785)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Concord Crush (119792)

Accessories: White emboss powder (109132), Iridescent Ice emboss powder (101930), Heat Tool (100005), Ticket Corner Punch (119867), SNAIL adhesive (104332)

 

Embossing Tips:

• Stamp the three wise men image in VersaMark ink onto Concord Crush card stock.  Add White emboss powder and heat until all powder is melted.
• Use Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners of card stock.
• Rub VersaMark Pad over entire piece of Concord Crush card stock. (You can also apply the ink with a sponge.)  Add Iridesent Ice emboss powder and heat until all powder is melted.

 

This card also looks great with the line of trees from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set.

 

If you would like to purchase any of the supplies used to make this card, please visit my Online Store.  Just enter the item codes above in the Search the Store Box to find the supplies you are looking for. 

Don't forget to check the Clearance Rack for up to 80% off Stampin' Up! products!

Card Inspired by a Walmart Ad...

This fall card was inspired by a Walmart ad that I saw in a Better Homes & Garden magazine.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Gently Falling stamp set (123802 Wood or 123804 Clear)

Ink: Crumb Cake (121030) and Cherry Cobbler (119669) Classic Stampin' Pads; VersaMark Pad (102283)

Card stock: Glossy White (102599) and Crumb Cake (120953)

Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Heat Tool (100005), AquaPainter (103954), Brayer (102395), Cherry Cobber 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (124105)

 

How To Create this Emboss Resist Technique:

1. Stamp outlines of large leaf and small acorn with Cherry Cobbler ink on Glossy white card stock.  Let dry... even Classic ink takes a bit to dry on glossy card stock.
2. Squeeze your Crumb Cake Classic Pad together, open it up and you'll have ink pooled in the lid.  Dip tip of AquaPainter into the ink and carefully color in leaves and acorns with Crumb Cake ink.  You don't need to fully color in, just add some color.  Let dry.
3. Make sure your all ink is dry before this step.  Stamp the bold leaf and acorn images with VersaMark ink inside the Cherry Cobbler leaves and acorns.  Add clear embossing powder and heat with the heat tool  until all the powder has melted.
4. Ink up the brayer with Cherry Cobbler ink.  Roll over entire piece of stamped glossy card stock, re-inking as necessary until all the white is covered.
5. Stamp large outline leaf image in Cherry Cobbler ink to fill in.  Let dry.
6. Gently rub a paper towel over the clear embossed images to remove excess ink.

 

This technique is a little advanced and takes patience because of all the drying time necessary.  If you'd like to start with some easier stamping techniques, be sure to take my free eCourse: 5 Stamping Techniques Every Card Maker Should Know.

 

If you would like to make these cards and need supplies to do so, please visit my Online Store.  Just enter the item codes above in the Search the Store Box to find the supplies you are looking for.

 

How to Make a Gate Fold Card

What's a gate fold card?  It's a card that opens in the middle instead of at the side.

Stamps: Gently Falling stamp set, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

Ink: More Mustard and Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads

Paper: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper; Confetti Cream, More Mustard and Soft Suede card stock

Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive

The biggest mistake made when making a gate fold card is gluing the card shut! 

 

Watch the video below for instructions on how to make a gate fold card.

 

Subscribe to the Ink It Up! with Jessica YouTube channel to be the first to see new card making videos!

 

Creative Crayons Technique... Didn't Really Work for Me.

Sometimes things just don't turn out quite how I envision them.  Today I came across this Creative Crayons Technique and had to give it a try. 

I used the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder with Whisper White card stock.  After embossing and rubbing on the crayon, I sponged on Marina Mist ink and then added a bit of Not Quite Navy ink.  I didn't get quite the resist that I was expecting.  Maybe because I sponged on the ink instead of using Distress ink?  I'm not sure.

The point is that sometimes it is just fun to play and try new techniques.  It is OKAY if your cards don't turn out perfectly or how you thought they would.  Someone will still enjoy getting it.

So go play!  Choose a new technique and give it a try. 

Click here for some Techniques you could try.

 

Happy Father's Day Card for the Surfer Dad

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 19.  Although neither my husband nor my father are surfers, I had to try out the Extreme Surfer stamp with the emboss resist technique.

Stamps:  Extreme Surfboard *Only Available until June 30!, Something to Celebrate

Ink: Whisper White Craft Pad; Pool Party* and Island Indigo* Classic Pads
*New colors available July 1!

Card stock: Naturals White, Pool Party and Island Indigo

Accessories: Clear Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stamping Sponge, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, dimensionals

 

Emboss Resist Technique:

1. Stamp your image with VersaMark ink on white card stock. 
2. Add clear emboss powder and heat.
3. Use a small piece of sponge to rub ink over the embossed image.  The embossing will resist the ink and remain white.

 

The Extreme Surfboard stamp and many other stamp sets and accessories will no longer be available after this month.  Check out the Last Chance products and order what you want before they are all gone!