Thursday 4 July 2019

Playing with inks, stamps, stencils and dies

 I have recently started to get hold of some Distress Oxide inks.  These are a mix of pigment ink and dye ink and have a chalky look, but not a chalky feel.  They have been around for a couple of years and I kept seeing them being used to create the most wonderful backgrounds on blogs and youtube, so I thought I should give them a go (better late than never!).  They work really well.  Above is a simple birthday card for my niece with a Distress Oxide background.  The stamp worked beautifully too.
I then made more backgrounds and used stamps I hadn't tried before.
 I was really pleased with the results.
I have started using frames around these smaller images and I think they look really effective.
 I then tried the oxides through a stencil...
...in a couple of different colourways.  I found that the Oxides are a lot easier to blend than the regular Distress Inks. 
The Oxides react to water so you can create some interesting effects such as 'faux bleaching'.
I used a spiral stamp to create the backgrounds above and you can see the effect adding water had.  I used watercolour card for that.
I also ordered some rather fabulous dies which arrived last week.  Oh my goodness, I love them!  I used the Oxides to create the backgrounds although it took me a few goes to get the colours right - (lighter colours around the moon, Ellie!)
 They are so versatile and can be used throughout the year, not just Christmas, although that's my cards sorted for this year!  A fox peers warily through the trees...
 A stag, doe and fawn pause in a glade...
 A barn owl is on the prowl and a rabbit listens...
 You can also build up the layers by making a little pocket for the tags to sit in.
I know I am going to really enjoy using the inks and dies, although more Distress Oxides will need to be purchased, I think.

8 comments:

  1. Really love those cut outs and the blue's.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thanks, Briony. I knew I would have to get the die sets as soon as I saw them! I can also change the backgrounds - sunrise, sunset, hills, whatever my imagination can come up with - hours of fun!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my.
    Love them. If I HAD to choose a favourite from this spectacular display I think it would be the Barn Owl - but they are all lovely.

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    1. Thanks, EC. That was my reaction too - I needed them in my life! I like the Barn owl and rabbit one especially as well. I shall enjoy making more backgrounds...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. awesome article,
    thanks for sharing and have a nice day

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Azka. Have a nice day too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Oh my word, your cards are absolutely stunning! (insert burbling superlatives ...) xx

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    1. Thanks, Jayne. They are looking much more professional now and I am really enjoying my papercrafting journey. Long may it continue! (Chris rolls his eyes heavenwards and sighs as he contemplates my ever growing stash of stuff...)
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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