I love inky techniques! I really enjoyed playing with inks on Savoy 100% Cotton Cardstock from CutCardStock! Check out the amazing layers created with vintage themed stamps!

The Savoy Cotton Cardstock handles wet techniques as long as you do not use too much water!

Inky Techniques for the Card Base

Trim four pieces of Savoy 100% Cotton Cardstock to 8.5 x 6.5 inches to allow the opportunity to trim the panel using the best area. You will be using all four panels as second generation stamping created the best look. Choose an interesting background stamp large enough to cover an A2 size card panel. I used Hodge Podge from Stampers Anonymous for my panels. Place the panel and the stamp in a stamp positioner. Ink the stamp with three colors of Distress inks to create an Ombre look. I used Vintage Photo, Blueprint Sketch and Speckled Egg. Lightly mist the stamp with water.

The photo above shows the first generation stamping. Replace the panel, spritz with water and restamp.

This is second generation stamping using Speckled Egg and Vintage Photo inks.

To soften the images even more, spray a puddle of water in one hand and flick over the panel leaving large and small puddles of water. Distress Inks are always water reactive, so adding water allows part of the images to wick and blur. Set aside to dry completely.

Create the Embellishments

Stamp the man with the birdcage hat from using Archival Expresso Ink (Stampers Anonymous CMS 072) on Savoy Cardstock. Using Archival Ink allows you to watercolor the image. Smoosh a small amount of ink onto your craft mat and use a waterbrush to color the image. Set aside to dry. Create the sentiments for the second card by embossing sentiment strips on Savoy Cotten Cardstock. Stamp the sentiments with the Blueprint Print Ink, add clear embossing powder and heat set. Trim the sentiments.

Stamp the Panels

Stamp an additional pattern onto the base using Vintage Photo Ink. I chose a checkerboard. Emboss a sentiment on the right side of the card using a Black Pigment Ink.

Stamp the Big Ben Image from the same stamp set in Ground Expresso Ink.

Complete the Cards

Trim the first panel to 4.0 x 5.25 using a Deckle Edge Trimmer for interest. Ink blend the perimeter using Vintage Photo Ink.

Fussy cut the man with the birdcage hat and pop up with foam squares. Attach to an A2 card base using Royal Sundance Kraft Cardstock. Use the Deckle Edge Trimmer on the three open sides of the card base. Attach the panel to the card base.

Trim the stamped base to 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Ink blend the edges with Blueprint Sketch Ink. Smoosh a small amount ink onto your craft mat. Add water and splatter over the top section of the card. When dry, attach to an A2 card base using Cougar 110 lb. White Cardstock. Use foam squares to pop up the sentiments.

I hope you enjoyed my inky mixed media tutorial and you’re inspired to try some inky techniques with cotton cardstock! Be well. Be creative!