Using Ink Dusters

Hi Everybody,

Do you sometimes find it difficult to blend inks and get a good result?

I know many people struggle with blending tools or the Cut 'n Dry pads as they sometimes make the ink blotchy on your cards

Ink Dusters could be your answer and they have been around for a long time and they are really useful at getting that water based ink to mix

Hopefully this video will show you how easy they are to use ... Distress Inks and Stencils

I have used Distress Inks here and in the video I tell you the colours that I used. My stencil is from AnnaMarie Designs

There is also a product list at the bottom of the post.

These are very easy to use and I would advise you to start off very lightly and build up the colours as you need

I bought mine from Inkylicous and they are  a UK company.

The bristles very soft to help blend easily. The inks may stain the bristles but as long as you clean them on a paper towel then the ink shouldn't transfer.

You can wash them in warm soapy water but allow them to dry completely and naturally before you use them again

Try to keep one end for each colour group and that should help a lot.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Stencils Archives - Anna Marie Designs	Painted Inspiration	Ink Dusters	Ranger DIS-27133 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Forest Moss
Ranger DIS-27195 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Victorian Velvet	Ranger DIS-27102 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Bundled Sage

InLinkz.com

Water Colour Wednesday - Brusho Crystals

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I got out the Burshos again to make a really simple purple background for my design

Once the card was dry I just cut out the circle ... and kept it for another project

Behind the aperture I added in some embossed parchment and then placed foam tape around the sides of the card

I also put some around the aperture to support it then added it to a white top folded card base.

The diamante flourish is from  Want2Scrap  and I cut in two and added it so that it looks as if it runs through the sentiment.

The finished card is 5x7 and it really is a simple card ... with no flowers anywhere to be seen.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - A2 sized card

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I am going to make use of those A2 Matting Basics that you may have in your "Stash"  I am also incorporating some of the Distressed Edges that I must admit to not having used for a long time. I am keeping this as a clean and simple card.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S5-131 A2 Matting Basics A
• S5-132 A2 Matting Basics B
• S5-174  A2 Distressed Edges (Retired)
• E3DS-006 Need a Rope (Embossing  Folder)
• SES-006 Circles and Diamonds (Embossing Folder)
• S4-642 Twisted Floral Tags
• S2-187 Happy Birthday Garland
• PL-001 Platinum Die Cutting Machine

Other Supplies:

• Card from Papermill Direct
• Bakers Twine from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Charm from "Stash"

Instructions:

With die #8 from the A set cut two in cream and Create a Hinged card

With #7 from Distressed Edges cut one in turquoise

With #7 from Matting Basics A cut a layer in cream

With #8 from Matting Basics B cut a layer in turquoise

With #6 from Distressed Edges cut the last layer in cream.

(Die #1 is always the smallest)

Emboss the last two layers that you have cut and  use a different pattern on each one.

Layer together with foam tape in between 

With the double ended tag I have cut this twice and glued them together for strength

Add to the previous layers with foam tape and wrap all these layers with Bakers Twine splaying out the strands as you go.

Tie a knot where they cross over and add in your charm, tying in another knot to keep the charm in place.  

Finish by tying a small bow in the twine. 

Dot with a little glue to stop the bow untying 

Flat glue the cream and turquoise middle layers together and add to the base card with foam tape.

Add the embossed panel to the top of these and then add all to the base card ... making sure that you have everything the correct way round

Cut the sentiment three times and glue together for strength and then with your scissors divide the words and add to the front panel of your card

I have added in no other embellishments to this card and although there is depth to it you will still be able to get it into a standard sized envelope

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A-2 Matting Basics A Card Creator Etched Dies	A-2 Matting Basics B Card Creator Etched Dies	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine	Need a Rope? Embossing Folders
Em-bossing Fold'ers Circles and Diamonds 4.25 x 5.5 in Single Sided	Shapeabilities Stacey Caron Botanical Bliss Twisted Floral Tags Etched Dies	Die D-Lites Let's Party Happy Birthday Garland Etched Dies	Bakers Twine
PICK & MIX

InLinkz.com

Circle Card - Shabby Chic

Hi Everybody,

This card is a little bigger as I have used die #2 from the Grand Circle to create the base.

The background is some Digital paper that I have stored on my PC and can print off whenever I need some fresh ones

I have teamed the lilac with large cream organza roses and cut one of them in half and used it to fill the distressed edges to the paper.

The flower display compliments the card and the metal pieces give it an antique look

I dotted around the edges and the petals with Gold Stickles and I am quite pleased with the end result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Antique Embellishments	Nestabilities Royal Circle Etched Dies	Flat Backed Pearls	Mulberry Paper Flowers
PICK & MIX	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

InLinkz.com

Todays Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

What a good response for the card and die this week so Thank You if you have left your comment. It is nice to know that you are out there and if you haven't won this week please pop by next Friday for another chance to win a card and die set.

This afternoon my "Film Crew" will be setting up the cameras as we have a lot of videos to get ready so after this post is done it will be ".... Camera ... Action ... Roll ..."

Tomorrow I will be having a well earned day off and maybe some roast beef out somewhere for Sunday Lunch

So the draw has been done and the winner this week is you ...

Betty McAlister

please send me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on its way to you straight away.

I hope you like it and I hope you will let me know when you have it with you

Another offer next week

Hugs xx