Continuing with the technique of "Paper Ink Stamp", our second class was focused on Ink. While its somewhat of a challenge to go back to the basics after having stamped for 30 years, I do love showing others that its not difficult to make beautiful prints such as this. Learning how to blend colors, with ink and the tools to do so is our focus today. Make sure to click on the color highlighted words to learn about the products and techniques! To see the possibilities of using inks in addition to stamping, we tried three ways: 1. Use a drop of ink with a few spritzes of water, and add to your stamp as though it was paint. Then stamp your image which will look similar to a water colored image. The Silicone Craft Sheet works well for a temporary "palette". 2. Use a water base marker, such as the Stampin' Write markers, to cover the stamp, and spritz with water, then stamp the image. This also resembles a water colored image. Alcohol makers do not work with water spritzing. 3. Take the ink/water mixture that remains on your "palette", the Silicone craft sheet, piece of plastic, or plate you've used to mix the ink and water, and put your paper upside down on it to capture every drip of ink left. This makes for an interesting background piece that can be used for a sentiment tag, punched flower or background. For the INK class print, black embossing powder was used first. Then using the Blending Brushes, and refill inks combined with water, blend the inks to complete a colorful background. Wipe the ink off of the embossed image. Add ribbon or a sentiment tag. Layer in black with 1/8 inch border, and attach with firm drying glue to card base. To make this print we started with white cardstock. The stamp set is called "Etched in Nature" and though currently unavailable, Stampin' Up! is working on upgrading it to meet their excellent standards. Message me if you have questions about that. Use a watermark ink, in this case, Versamark, which is a clear sticky ink, to heat emboss with black embossing powder. (If you're new to heat embossing, watch a short video as Karen Titus demonstrates the technique.) The embossed images are the "watermark" of this print as you add the color over the top and it doesn't change the embossed image. To heat emboss: 1. Choose your background paper color, can be white or color or black. 2. Choose your embossing powder color to contrast or coordinate with your background. Karen Titus shows these varieties in her video as described above. Wipe across your card base with an "Embossing Buddy" which removes the static (that you can't see) before you stamp with Versamark to heat emboss. Once you forget to do this first, you will see how the embossing powder gets all over the card and not just stick to the areas of versamark ink. An embossing buddy is a small bag with corn starch or similar powder inside. You can purchase one at a variety of places or make your own. This video shows embossing and the use of the embossing buddy. The embossing buddy in this photo is off to the right. This technique is called "resist" and can also be done with white or clear embossing powder on white paper. Once you've embossed your image on the card base, then choose colors of inks you'll want to blend for the background. I like to identify a "light source" as though the sun was shining from one direction, but that's not necessary to make this print. The colors for this print are: Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, and Evening Evergreen (In Colors 2021). The tools are the Blending Brushes, and Stampin' Write marker in the 2021 In Color, Pale Papaya. I used the refill inks by combining one drop of the concentrated ink and spritzing it with water to get a desired shade. To use the inks like this, you'll need a piece of plastic or a non-porous surface, like the Silicone Craft Sheet, or a styrofoam plate, to mix the ink with water, and one that gives surface space for you to put a little of the ink on the brush and blend it around the paper. I work on a plastic place mat with a large paper place mat underneath my print, to practice a swirling motion with the blending brush. Here, I've embossed with clear embossing powder on a white background - think about what colors will surround your embossed image. This photo shows how to hold the Blending Brush and to use a circular motion to apply the color. You'll want to practice on scrap paper first to prevent a big blob of ink all in one place. Like any new tool or technique, it just takes a few times before you discover what works best for you. After blending one color across the card base, take a lint free cloth (not Kleenex) and rub away the ink that will remain on top of the embossed image. The ink on the paper will dry shortly. Keep that in mind if you want to add blue right next to yellow but don't want to end up with green. Give the ink time to dry if you don't want a blended color. However, if you want purple from pink and blue, blend it immediately. Experiment on a separate piece of paper - the ideas become endless. I did try to add ink from a Stampin' Write marker and rub it off but it absorbs instantly into the paper and leaves a deeper shade. (the bottom edge of the card - top photo) Here is a print made with no embossed image but with using the blending brushes and ink on textured water color paper. Here are a couple of prints from the INK class. Not one is the same and that's the beauty of art! Remember this: you are the artist. Your print is your perception of the idea - there are no mistakes! Go and experiment with blending your colors and feel free to post your print in the comments below. If you're interested in Stampin' Up! products, I'd love to share this fun with you. Just check out the highlighted links above and more posts on this blog. Thanks for stopping by! sb