MIM: Blending Inks

Since I had the day off, I figured I'd have a go at the latest PTI challenge. The challenge was to blend inks. Whenever I think of this technique, I have a hard time not putting together a sunset or sunrise theme. So I really wanted to break out of that box and do something different.

I started by stamping the Chrysanthemums and

leaves on my paper. Next I chose my colour palette (Paris Lights, Summer Sunrise, Orangerie for the flowers; Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado for the leaves; Aqua Mist for the background). I started with the lightest colour in the middle of the stamped images and worked in a circular motion outwards.

Once I was done the flowers and leaves, I added in the Aqua Mist. Next, I wasn't totally satisfied with how it looked so I inked up a text background with Chai Tea ink (I love using these on background stamps, they blend so nicely into the scene.

The final step was to add a greeting on a punched out label and decorate it with a button and a bit of ribbon and string.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Year of Flowers: Mums, Textstyle II, Round and Round (all PTI)
• Ink: Paris Lights, Summer Sunrise, Orangerie, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate
• Paper: Orange Zest, Ripe Avocado, White,
• Accessories, etc.: Modern Label punch, ribbon, button, string

MIM: Impression Plates

Unfortunately, I didn't find the time last week to join in on PTI's Make It Monday challenge. This week however, I had to try the technique. The challenge was to use your impression plates to cover only part of your paper. You can check out the technique here.

Here's my card:

I went clean and simple with my design (shocking, I know!). I tried a few different things with the impression plate, but it wasn't exactly working out, so I took the easy approach. I haven't used much of my felt stash recently, so I decided to make a layered blossom.

I really like these fancy swirly buttons (found in the Vintage Cream button collection), but the big loop on the back always deterred me from using them. I took my old Stampin' Up rubber cutting scissors and carefully cut into the plastic loop. It took two takes to get it down to a manageable level. Since it was a bit rough after that, I stuck it into a dimensional glue dot, and stuck that to my felt flower.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Birthday Basics
• Ink: Dark Chocolate
• Paper: Rustic Cream, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy
• Accessories, etc.: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides Felt; Blossoms Die; Button; Diamonds impression plate, Scor-It

MIM- Fun Foam

When I first saw the latest MIM challenge I had all sorts of interesting ideas about what to do. When I watched the video, I was reminded of how I too had made my own stamps using various fun foam shapes. However, when I went to get started, the fun foam was nowhere to be found. I searched through some closets and found a few hearts and flowers. I managed to find a few pieces that were big enough to stamp and cut out.

I really wanted to make something with the number dies. Fun foam is the perfect medium for making stamps out of these dies! But, the pieces I found where definitely not big enough to try!

Here's my card.

I decided to use the fun foam for the balloon tops. It seemed like a good fit, texturally. Due to colour choices available in the fun foam, I went with some bright colour pairings- Pacific Point for the sky and Only Orange for the tag.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Up, Up, and Away (PTI)
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Fresh Snow
• Paper: Only Orange, Pacific Point, White
• Accessories, etc: Fun Foam, Double Ended Tags