Saturday, August 13, 2011

LIM: Using Ink In a New Way

This week's challenge at Less Is More is a One Layer challenge to use ink, hopefully in a new way.  I can't believe that once again they read my mind!!

Over the last few weeks, I have been gathering Tim Holtz Distress Inks because I have watched a number of YouTube videos on gorgeous uses for this ink.  Yesterday, I tried a card using a foam tool to smooth the ink on the paper.  But another technique that I hadn't yet tried was to apply the ink to an acrylic block, spritz with water and stamp.  I had all the supplies out and Less Is More came along!!!


Pumpkin stickles on my berries!

I learned a few things along the way:

1. Just tap a variety of ink pads on a clean acrylic block.  Then spritz with a water mister.  Be sure to spritz until it starts beading up.


2. Initially, I used watercolor paper - assuming my use of spritzed water would require watercolor paper.  But it turns out that I got much richer colors using a smoother paper like Stampin' Up's white.  The small problem with Stampin' Up is that it is quite a thin paper and colors bleed through.  (Thus my "one layer card" is actually a white panel on top of a dry card.)  I found that Papertrey Ink's white is also smoother but thicker - it works very well also!

3. Keep a paper towel handy.  With that much water, you will get some "pools" of color when you lift the acrylic block.  You can blot them up with a paper towel.


Once again - thank you to Chrissie and Mandi for a perfectly fun challenge!

  • Stamps: DRS designs berries, sentiment by Impress Rubber Stamps
  • Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White
  • Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey and a touch of Rusty Hinge, Staz-On Timber Brown
  • Accessories: Pumpkin Stickles, Fine Water Mister Bottle

52 comments:

  1. WOW, Kim! This is beautiful!!!! Thanks for the tips on this technique! That always helps encourage me to try something new if I can see what's worked for other people first! :)

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  2. Gorgeous! I love using distress inks. Your card is amazing!

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  3. I also love using this technique, well done on yet another super card, love the colours too :O) Viv xx

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  4. Gorgeous card, the acrylic block technique worked so well with your design. I love the placement of your stamped image and sentiment too, great balance.
    hugs
    wynneth
    x

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  5. Absolutely FAB card. I love the way things are inked inside and outside of the inky block! Lovely.

    Hugs, Sandra View my card HERE!

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  6. Hi Kim
    Stunning card ...love the colours
    hugs sylvie
    xxxx

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  7. This is so gorgeous - thanks for sharing the way that you achieved this stunning card x

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  8. It has been amazing how many times people have actually submitted a card one week, which would have fitted perfectly with the theme of the next challenge on our schedule... and here you were getting all ready for the challenge we published today, but which we planned weeks ago!
    Curious huh!
    Your card is as amazing as ever, another source of inspiration!
    Thanks so much Kim.
    Chrissie
    Lady LIM
    "Less is More"

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  9. Your card is amazing and after seeing yours I decided to try this technique. Oh boy you made it sound so easy! Took me many attempts to get one decent print and its stil not perfect hehe. Thak you for the inspiration :)

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  10. Gorgeous Kim and thanks for the tutorial.

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  11. Great card Kim. You really did a fabulous job blending the colors. Love the added Stickles. :0

    Thanks for sharing!!
    Carole

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  12. I truly believe Chrissie and I have a sixth sense lol
    Fantastic card Kim, thank you for the tut too, sure it will help many [me included]
    Thanks so much
    Mandi
    Diva LIM
    "Less is More"

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  13. Stunning, fab colour combination and the glossy berries are wonderful.

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  14. Gorgeous card, love how you made the background, must try that!
    Helen x

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  15. GR8 technique and a super card

    Kathyk

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  16. I love this technique - you get so inky!! Your card is really lovely.

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  17. Beautiful image and beautiful card! ;)

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  18. This is another technique I would love to try, thanks for the tutorial! A beautiful card.

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  19. Beautiful card, love the nice warm colours

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  20. This is a fabulous technique but one I`ve failed to accomplish lol. Your card is gorgeous, love the colours, very autumnal.
    Lynne xxx

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  21. Just love this and I must have a play, what a great idea and what a fabulous card you have made using the technique.

    Kath x

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  22. Love your card Kim, your background looks fab and the stamp on top is very pretty. The tut is really informative, I'll try that to improve my results! x

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  23. Wow, I'm definitely going to have to try this technique again. This is the result I was trying to get (don't think I put enough ink on). Anyway, fabulous card, gorgeous colour, image and sparkle! xx

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  24. Do you know I thought that when I commented on your last post earlier, how spooky is that!
    Love the effect you created, a perfect block of summer to stamp the stem onto :)
    Jenny x

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  25. I adore this technique! I just did it last week for the first time! Very cool effect!

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  26. Beautiful card Kim!! I love this acylic block technique, it gives a wonderful focal point to your card that you can them stamp over to create the effect dimension!
    Hugs, Victoria ~x~

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  27. Stunning card, love the colours.

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  28. gorgeous and love the colours ,will have to try this technique x

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  29. Your card is gorgeous! I love your technique, and many thanks for the tutorial! x

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  30. I tried something like that technique, why oh! why can't I get it to be anything like your STUNNING card? Love the glitter too, it's gorgeous

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  31. Awesome card, Kim! LOVE the blend of colors...now why can't I achieve that look when I try it!?

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  32. Hello Kim.
    Susan from NZ here.
    I saw your card on LIM, I used this technique too but yours turned out better it is a lovely card.
    Smiles:)

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  33. it looks so perfect!
    I think, I must used watercolor paper, too - for better results

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  34. Very pretty...love the color and the stamp!

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  35. Fabulous card and another new technique to try. Carol x

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  36. This is gorgeous, Kim. I was playing around with this technique last night, and in similar colors, too. Love yours, and especially the sparkle you added to your plant. Beautiful. :) Ann

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  37. Kim, this is absolutely beautiful! I have just begun to play with distress inks, so I am suddenly drawn to creations made with them. Your colors are beautiful togehter and the image is perfect. The stickles finish it off beautifully.

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  38. So pretty. I love using this technique too.

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  39. A stunning card! Love the background and the stickles make perfect berries!

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  40. A beautiful card, and a great technique, love the stamped image
    Sandy

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  41. Your card is beautiful, great technique and thanks so much for the tutorial. Will definitely give this a go. Gill x

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