My Little Factory

12/12/2015

Every Christmas I debate with myself over making a batch of homemade cards.  I mean, with a whole stamp company at my disposal you'd think I would delight in the task, but time is precious in December, and finding the hours to make 25 + cards by hand can be difficult.  But this year in particular, it seems as if peace is a very precious thing as well and to sooth my soul I wanted to make a card to sort of "wish the world" a Merry Christmas.  So I used Pink Ink's "Angel On High", "Peace On Earth" AND "Peace & Love" stamps to get my message across.  I knew I wanted a pretty, soft subtle card this year.  I just haven't been in the mood for boisterous Santa Clauses and sweet candy canes.  Instead I chose a palette of soft sage green with muted gold metallic accents.  To create my "factory" I first color the images...adding a touch of gold metallic paint to the angel's dress ribbon, then I cut the images and all background papers to size.  I measured and cut 2 lengths of olive green organdy ribbon (4.5 inches each) for each card.  Next, I attached my angels to gold metallic card stock "mats" and placed four squares of foam tape on the back corners of each angel with gold backing unit (leaving paper covers on).   Angel cards all in a row, with ribbon, envelopes and adhesives...what fun! At this point I attached the smaller green paper piece to the center of the larger one.  I then ran my tape runner around all four sides of the back of the larger piece and wrapped the ribbon pieces diagonally around each corner, pressing firmly on to the adhesive.  (You could also tape the ribbon ends down with regular scotch tape for extra security). Now the two separate pieces are assembled; sticking down the larger papers on the center of my card and attaching the matted angel to the center of the green papers.    The last part of my little assembly line was dotting each card with 8-9 dabs of Stickles platinum glitter glue and (after dry) using a metallic gold prisma pencil (#PC950) to add "star shines" around each glitter dot.    I added glittery stars with Stickles platinum, accented with prisma pencil "shinys".   And on the inside - Pink Ink's "Peace & Love" stamp along with my own greeting Homemade cards take time and thought, but I cherish all those on my "list" and want them to receive something pretty, made by my hands, and to wish them peace this Christmas.

Peace On Earth

18/11/2015 Hello! I have a new card to share with you today using a gorgeous Pink Ink stamp image! Angels are such a classic Christmas image and I just love them! I watercolored this pretty stamp with Distress markers on Master's Touch watercolor paper from Hobby Lobby. I cut the image out with an oval die and glued it to a peach colored card base. I added the stitched blue frame over it with foam tape. And a few PPP sequins made her shine! You can find this beautiful stamp at Ellen Hutson or stop by the Pink Ink Website to see a list of all the retailers! Thanks so much for stopping by! Kay :)

Pink Ink Wood Mount Stamp, Angel On High

Pink Ink Wood Mount Stamp, Peace On Earth

Angel on High by Sharon Harnist

Hello Pink Ink Fans -- Sharon here today, with stepped out details on how to  watercolor Pink Ink’s beautiful new Angel on High #6108L.   So let’s get started! 1. Stamp angel and Peace on Earth #10126B sentiment with Versamark ink,  then gold heat emboss. The embossing helps to keep the watercolor contained  on finely detailed images! 2. Watercolor sky with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, using broad waterbrush: 3. Watercolor angel dress with Spun Sugar Distress Ink, using detailer waterbrush. 4. Add depth to folds of dress with darker Worn Lipstick Distress Marker; blend with waterbrush if needed. 5. Color skin with Antique Linen Distress Marker; blend with waterbrush if needed:  6. Watercolor wings with Fossilized Amber Distress Ink. Concentrate more color under the rows of feathers, to help create depth and accent them: 7. Watercolor hair with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  Add Spun Sugar Distress Marker to cheek; blend with waterbrush if needed. To finish the card, I trimmed the watercolored panel between the angel and sentiment, and also trimmed a little less than 1/4” off the top of the panel.  The panels were separated and adhered with foam tape onto a white card base, with an accent strip of gold foil paper adhered to the card base below the panels. Do you prefer coloring with just markers?  Then use these same steps and I’m sure you’ll achieve wonderful results! Thanks so much for joining me today!  ~ Sharon Pink Ink products used, available retail online through Ellen Hutson LLC: Pink Ink Wood Mount Stamp, Angel On High Pink Ink Wood Mount Stamp, Peace On Earth Or check Pink Ink's website to find a local retailer near you, or to order wholesale.

A Kraft Paper Christmas Class

Kraft paper is humble, yet beautiful.  While it is the source for paper grocery bags and cardboard boxes, it also is used for "decorator quality" hand blocked wrapping papers, totes and gift boxes.  In other words, it's country, but it's cool!  I love this look ~ so different from stamping on white!  Here are some close up examples from the "Kraft Paper Christmas" pencil coloring class that I recently taught.   6104  Wintertime Woody   6109  Must Be Santa!   6107  Wintry Window   6108  Angel On High 2253  Hawthorne & Roses And to share with you...my notes from the class! MID TONE  Tan kraft paper is a mid toned color, consequently, it provides a nice middle range value that lessens your coloring time.  In class, we will focus on deepening it with shading and lightening it with highlights of pastel and white.  PAPER TOOTH  Kraft paper does not need to have an initial layer to smooth out fibrous paper tooth with pencil wax. The rougher surface of the paper and grainy look of the coloring adds to its homespun charm.   WHITE   Color whites in first...you can color over white pencil, but white pencil doesn't fully cover over colors.  A good way to shade on top of the white is with pale grey.  Try using a pencil stroke that follows the direction of your object, for example: the flow of Santa's beard, the furry trim on his suit, the slope of the snow drifts. EXPERIMENT  It's always a good idea to use your sample swatch to test colors.  They will look a bit different than what you are used to seeing on white stock. COLORS  I suggest adding lighter colors first, then darker colors on top.  You can always go back and add a second layer of light color again to brighten it up.  SHADING  Make the paper tone work for you!  I have let the paper be part of the shading on Santa's beard, the window shutters and the Christmas tree boughs as it provides a nice undertone that is perfect for these objects - no initial layer is needed.  FILLER  After counting, I found myself adding about 50 "snow" dots to each Woody card.  Dots are made by wiggling the point of the white pencil in a teeny circle.  Don't make them too big, or they will morph from falling snow into a polka dot look.  METALLIC  Silver, gold (and copper - if you can find it!) look great on kraft paper stock!  Their shimmer is a perfect foil against that "paper bag" brown.  I think a black, white and metallic color theme on kraft would be a very elegant look. FUN  Have fun with this different paper surface...that's what it's all about!

Christmas in July!

07/14/2015

Hello Pink Ink Fans! Debbie Seyer here today to share with you a Christmas in July card. Believe it or not, now is a good time to start thinking and even making your Christmas cards. I always tell myself that I should start now and will have a nice stash of cards ready at Christmas.....I don't always listen to myself but you know how that goes!  LOL I was so excited to when I got the July 2015 Pink Ink Stamps new releases from Peggy.  The image and sentiment I used in my card today are definitely my favorite of the release!  It was hard to get a good picture of the gold mirror cardstock I used behind the Angel On High image but I think you get the picture! I stamped the Angel On High image using Encore gold pigment ink and sprinkled on some clear embossing powder.  After I heat set the powder, I die cut her into an oval.  I also did the same with the Peace On Earth Sentiment. The finished card measures 5 x 7" so it will require extra postage.  I do send a few extra special cards to those family and friends who appreciate them and there is plenty of room to write a quick note inside! Thanks for stopping by today! Debbie Pink Ink Stamps used: 6108L Angel On High 10126B Peace of Earth I have linked these wonderful images up to Ellen Hutson, LLC.  Ellen carries the full line of Pink Ink Stamps!