Technique of the Week: Distress Blending/Emboss Resist by Dianne Johnson

This is a super easy way to make lots of backgrounds to have on hand for your cards. I made quite a few in one sitting, and have already used some of them for cards I needed to make. 

by Dianne Johnson

First, choose a background stamp that will cover your panel. I used 80# Neenah Solar White cardstock, cut to 5.25" x 4". I have a great many Cover a Card stamps from Impression Obsession. These stamps are 5.75" x 5.75" square, so they should cover any A2 size panel. For this example I chose "Medallion" CC032.

The first step is to ink your stamp with Versamark ink. Your MISTI tool would work well for stamping your panel, but I find it just as easy to turn my stamp face-up on the table, ink it, and put my cardstock panel onto the stamp. I cover the whole thing with a piece of scrap paper and hold it down with one hand, while rubbing the paper with the other to press the cardstock onto the stamp. This will nearly always give a good impression.

I used JudiKins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder to emboss my panel, but you could also use Clear, Opaque White, or White Diamond. I wanted my panel to sparkle, and Iridescent Sparkle really does.

I chose 3 colors of Distress Ink for the example shown here: Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet, and Shaded Lilac. Using blending tools, I started blending the color onto the embossed panel. With this method, you don't have to worry about pressing too hard and making splotches. You can press hard right from the start. The more ink you add, the more the embossing will pop.

After blending the colors, I cut the panel to 5" x 3.75" and adhered it to an A2 size base card made from 110# Neenah Solar White cardstock.

I cut a frame from So Silk Passion Purple cardstock and adhered it to the panel to frame the card.

Out of the same Purple cardstock I die-cut the word "happy" using Hero Arts DC150 "Happy Stamp & Cut". This set from Hero Arts has coordinating stamps, so I cut a small banner from the So Silk cardstock and stamped "birthday" in Versamark ink. I embossed it with JudiKins White Diamond embossing powder.

I adhered the "happy" die-cut to the panel and popped up the banner with the "birthday" sentiment using foam tape. I scattered a few sequins at the end.

I chose a number of background stamps to make more of these panels in the same way, choosing lots of other Distress colors for blending. They were easy and fun to make and now i have background panels the I can use to quickly make a card. I hope you will give this technique a try.

For step by step photos of this process, please go to my blog here.

Happenings at Art 'n Soul

We are very excited that Pam Nelson is going to teach another class at Art 'n Soul! Her class "Focus on Thanks" is a fabulous technique-driven Thank You card class. 

by Pam Nelson

Saturday, March 11th, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. "Focus on Thanks" by Pam Nelson $35
Couldn't we all use a stash of thank you cars at our disposal? Join Pam to try some fun techniques and build up your supply of cards. In this class you will make four different thank you cards using a variety of different techniques that feature stamping, die cutting and Magenta Nuance. Each technique is fun and easy. Please bring your basic kit, watercolor brushes (medium and large), fine point glue applicator, adhesive, small paper trimmer, and optionally a Big Shot (not absolutely necessary but will reduce waiting time).


SAVE THE DATE!
Lynell Harlow is coming!
Lynell Harlow, from Dreamweaver Stencils, will be coming to teach April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. If you have taken classes with Lynell before, you know how fabulous they are. If you have not, you will want to sign up for at least one, if not all 3 of her classes. We will have those details very soon.

OPEN CATALOGS!
We have opened the Rosie's Roadshow catalog for a limited time! If there are Rosie's stamps you have been wanting, now it the time. Also, come in to look at some samples that Linda sent us, and images of her new stamps! You're going to love them!

We are also opening the Impression Obsession catalog for a short time. Come in and look at the new Spring Catalog, or have a look online by clicking the links below.

2017 Spring Stamps by Impression Obsession

2017 Spring Die Catalog by Impression Obsession

Hope to see you soon!