Irresistible Inking Techniques

You can do so much with ink pads and today I want to touch on just one of those techniques.  I was inspired and selected this technique after working my way through my Altenew Academy classes.  

I decided to use my Altenew Ink pads and my Gel Press / Gelli Plate.  After working through my process I realized that the effect that I was getting really wasn't any different than smooshing the ink pad on a craft mat.  I believe the Gel Press works better with paint/thicker mediums.

Since I was already committed to this process I continued.  

I started by pressing my green ink pads on the plate in a random pattern. 

I selected Altenew Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, and Evergreen.

I sprayed/misted the ink with water, then I took watercolor paper and pressed it into the ink.

Now you can see that I probably didn't need the Evergreen Ink but I'm going ahead.

I did take another piece of paper after adding more water.

Now I placed the blue ink on the Gel Press.  

Colors are Altenew Dew Drop, Aqualicious and Teal Cave

Spraying with water, I press the watercolor paper into the blue ink.

this is the first inking from the press

I spray more water on the Gel Press and take the second piece of paper and add the blue ink.

this is the second inking from the press

I did use my heat tool to dry the paper in between layers.

After looking at the paper I decided it could use a little shimmer so I spray my Altenew Frayed Leaf Metallic Ink Spray on the Gel Press, misting with a small amount of water, I lay my green/blue inked papers on the Gel Press to add the shimmer.

So, my paper is finished and I want to use Altenew Floral Shadow Stamp set and the Thinking of You die to finish of my card.  I take a couple of stamps and concentrate on the upper corners.  The sentiment die is on the large size and it needed to remain the focal point of the card.  I stamped a few leaf images using Altenew Permanent Black ink and cut the sentiment out of black paper.

I did use 3 stacked sentiments for depth.

Altenew Floral Shadow

Altenew Think of you Die

I hope you enjoyed this reminder of how you can stretch the use of your ink pads and create fun backgrounds.

Below is a bonus card I made with the additional background paper I had remaining.  I used the same stamp set and added a simple sentiment.

Blessings,

Nancy

Altenew Floral Shadow Stamp Set

Altenew Thinking of You Die

Altenew Inks

Altenew Ink Spray

Gel Press