6 Gorgeous Techniques Using Distress Inks

Today’s post is definitely going to be interesting for all those who are just IN LOVE with the Distress Inks (like me!). They’re one of my most used crafty items. Let’s get into some tips and techniques on how we can use them.

1. Distressing
This is the most basic use of Distress Inks. You can use them to distress paper, cardstock or any other surface you have. You can create some amazing vintage or shabby-chic styles with this fab medium.

2. Stamping
Here is another super basic and of course natural way to use Distress Inks. Ink your stamp and simply press it down on the paper. The type of stamp doesn’t matter – you can use any kind from clear to cling and wood to mounted. Also, one important thing to note here is that Distress Inks are water-based, so adding other mediums may bleed the ink and distort your image.

3. Blending
This is one of my FAVOURITE techniques! No other ink pad will give you as good results at blending than Distress Inks. Not even close! The colours mix so beautifully and can be applied lightly, or layered together to get a rich, deep background. Firstly, choose any 2 or more Distress Ink colours. For this tag, I used the new Wilted Violet Ink Pad, Mustard Seed and Peacock Feathers. Use a blending tool to pick up your ink, and work in circular motions across your paper. Start off at the paper’s edge, and slowly work into the paper to avoid getting blotches. Lastly, start blending the colours as you go. Layering various inks together gives you countless colour combinations.

4. Stencilling
Directly place the stencil over the paper and apply the Distress Ink onto it. The Distress Spray Stains can also be used through stencils to create some gorgeous effects. Tape the stencil to the paper with any temporary adhesive so that it holds the stencil and prevents movement. Once you’re done, remove the stencil and there you have a gorgeous pattern! You can also blend inks to create some gorgeous graduated effects.

5. Watermarking
The most distinctive feature of Distress Inks is their ability to work with water. Spray water on anyDistress Ink background and watch the ink move. You can create watermarked effects by adding few drops of water to an inked surface, or using a water brush to draw a design. When you have finished adding the water, use a paper towel to gently blot the surface and remove the ink.

6. Reverse Stencilling
Ever heard of it? No? Let me tell you! If you ever want to have watercolour background effect, this is a great way to do it. Take a stencil and start inking it; blending colour in this technique works well. You just need three main things for this technique: Distress Inks (of course!), a stencil and a misting tool. All you have to do is apply the inks to the surface of your stencil, mist it with water and place ink-side down onto your paper. Press lightly, and lift off the stencil to reveal a gorgeous watercolour background!

Pink Floral Canvas

Hi folks!

It's March already! I can't believe I haven't posted almost anything in the last two months. I definitely need to organize this month. Anyway enough about me and let's get to the point.

This personalized canvas has tons of layering and items on it. First the background is a random cardstock from one the paper pads. I have actually lost the main cover of it so I can't recall the name. I distressed the entire paper to match it the photography. Then I took a Tim Holtz Stencil and add a white texture paste on few areas of the pattern paper. Btw it's homemade and the texture is so smooth and dries up so quickly. You won't even believe what it is made of! I will type up the recipe in my next post. It's super easy to make and I bet you will certainly have everything at your home. Back to the canvas now, after adding the paste I sprayed using Distress Stain Spray. 

For the embellishments, I have used Dusty Attic Frame and 'Little Moments' chipboard, They are my new favorites! I painted them using Distress Paints. The frame is painted on with Antique Linen and phrase is by Black Soot.

Next I added few Recollection and Prima flowers. Butterflies, leaves and flourish branch are cut by Silhouette Cameo.

I hope you like today's post! I am thinking of coming few reviews which hopefully I will be posting soon! 

Toddles for now!

Winged Beauties Memory Canvas

Hi, everyone!

I've been selected as a new DT member of Crafters’ Palette and I am thrilled to be a part of the team. For my very first post, I have chosen a personalized canvas.

I made a photo canvas using the bunch of items. At first, I painted the sides of my plain white canvas using some Distress Paint in Walnut Stain. Then I took some patterned cardstock, and distressed iit using some Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo Distress Inks around the edges. I then used a Script Background Stamp on different areas of my background to give it a vintage feel. Once the paint was all dried up, I added the patterned cardstock to the canvas with some liquid glue.

To give a bit of a dimension, I layered two pieces of cardstock behind my photograph, and gave them some definition by inking and distressing the edges.

Next thing was to add the embellishments! I painted my title using Walnut Stain Distress Paint. I also added some flowers to my canvas, and a few metal embellishments. I die-cut some Winged Beauties Butterflies using my Sizzix Big Shot, and stuck everything in place.

I hope you enjoyed my project. See you next time!

Vintage Apology Card

Hello!

I'm back after way too long and this time I am trying to manage my schedule better than the last year. I hope it goes well! Anyway, so here I am posting my very first project for January & this is my current FAV. I liked how it turned out!

First of all, I have used Ranger Watercolor Paper. Honestly speaking if you are working with Distress Inks. You have to give them a TRY! You will definitely see a major difference between using an regular paper and a watercolor paper. Also, the one thing I liked about Ranger Watercolor Paper is that it has two sides one is smoother and other is the textured one. Here I went with the textured side, distressed it with Vintage Photo and did the edges with Black Soot. Then layered a Tim Holtz Latticework Stencil on top and inked it with Walnut Stain. Next I sprayed it with Distress Stain in Gathered Twigs. This was my first time using Spray Stains and I loved how they make the entire background pop. I absolutely love the effect!

For the metal embellishments, I chose Prima's clock and Tim Holtz's compass.

Leafy branches and cog are Sizzix dies. I have Distress Painted the two branches in Walnut Stain.

Top-right framelits are again from Sizzix. I have over-layered two frames. I have used black glitter sheet for the base and on the top comes the text. It has been die-cut on a plain paper which has been later distressed in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain. 

In the end I have glued some paper flowers in Maroon which went totally well with the vintage look. 

I hope you like it. Drop in some love in the comments below! 

Mini Canvas in PINK!

Hello crafty fellows!

I hope you are enjoying your winter holidays! Today I am posting a mini canvas that was presented as Christmas gift. The lady wanted something colorful with an name initial on it and this is what I ended up with.

I have used PCW word art file in here. You can find the link HERE. The set comes with 4 different texts. I just love the chalky effect of it!

First of all, I painted the mini canvas using Distress Paint in 'Picked Raspberry' then I stamped the canvas using one of the Tim Holtz Anonymous Stamp. Then added few flowers, name initial and PCW word art.

I hope you like today's post & have an amazing new year.

Configuration Box

Hello Crafty People!

I hope you're doing fab! I am here with a Configuration Book Shadow Box. It's a Tim Holtz Configuration Box which is about 6 x 9 x 1.25 inches and has 6 compartments.

So, firstly I covered the entire box using MME Pretty Things 6x6" cardstock. I adore this paper pad. It's so vintage and floraly. I simply can't get over these papers.

The paper was 6x6" so I overlapped two sheets and added a lace over it. Lace has been distressed by Walnut Stain Paint. Flowers are randomly picked from Prima and Recollection flowers packs.

Here comes my favorite part - THE INSIDE. Again, on the left I have overlapped two sheets covered the joined with the distressed lace. The sides of the box and edges of every cut out sheet is also distressed by the same paint.

I didn't cover it much, as the papers were itself gorgeous. So, just added few flowers and metal embellishments here and there.

I have used PCW word art file in there. You can find the link HERE. The set comes with 4 different texts. I just love this set because it almost goes with every project I make.

Framelits dies are by Sizzix. On the left compartment, hanging metal embellishment is by Prima. I love the little crown at the bottom. On the right, I went with the mini jar with silver glitter and text in it.

I hope you like today's post! See you next time!

Persian Times Personalized Frame

Hello to all!

This week I had great fun personalizing this Ikea frame and using PCW Word Art with it. 

First of all, I painted over the frame by Distress Paint. I used Antique Linen in here. It's such a sober color that goes with almost any bright and bold color. As it's a lighter tone, I decided to splash some brighter colors in form of floral embellishments. So, I went on and arranged some Prima and Recollection flowers and few leaves, butterfly and fancy frame die-cuts from Sizzix. 

I Love You Word Art as mentioned above is by PCW. You can find the file here! I absolutely loved the font! It went so well with the Sizzix die. To give it a shine and a dimensional look, I used glossy accents on top of it. And then it seemed just perfect!

I tried to keep purple has the main color so I attached a two-tone purple cardstock in the back which totally complemented purple flowers. 

Till next time Crafty Friends!