Loose Background Using a Brayer and Painting with Ink Pad

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's post features my 8th AECP assignment featuring two inking techniques, using a brayer, and direct to paper inking.

For inks, I am using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide in Cracked Pistachio and Walnut Stain. Starting with the green color, I pressed the ink pad on a craft sheet. I sprayed a bit of water on the ink, then picked it up with the brayer. I rolled the inked brayer on a watercolor paper cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I repeated this process using the brown ink. I did not have a pattern when I was applying the inks. I just let the brayer create the pattern. I heat set this to speed dry it.

The next step is embossing. To make sure that the background panel is ready for this step, I did a trial of pouring embossing powder to the panel. If no powder sticks to the panel, then it is ready for embossing.

I am using the Altenew Hennah Elements stamp set on this card. I stamped the images more on the left of the panel. I stamped the images with Versafine Onyx Black ink. Since the watercolor paper is a very textured paper, I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-stamp the image, if needed. I poured black embossing powder over the wet stamped images, then heat set it. I stamped one image at a time, pouring the powder after each stamping. I heat set this after stamping a cluster of images.

I filled the area using the smaller stamps included in the set, stamping these images with the same black ink and black embossing powder. Just be careful not to expose the embossed images to the heat so as not to flatten the embossing. 

I lifted the color from the flowers by applying water to the flowers. The wells created by the embossing traps the water inside the image. I picked this water with a paper towel. I repeated this process until I am happy with how light the color of the image is. At one point, I applied a pearlized water to add shimmer to the flowers.

I flicked opaque white paint to the panel and allowed this to dry.

I die cut this panel using a double stitched rectangular die from Simon Says Stamp. This die creates a frame and a panel with stitching detail on the edges of both die cuts. I die cut another cardstock using the same die. I applied glue to the frame die cut and adhered this to the back of the watercolored frame die cut to create a bit of dimension. 

For the sentiment, I die cut the word hugs on the panel using a die from the Altenew Hello and Hugs die set. I am planning to in-lay this back to the panel.

I lifted the ink from this word die cut but somehow, the sentiment is hardly noticeable when in-laid. Not giving up right away, I die cut this word three times on a brown cardstock. I adhered this brown colored die cuts to the back of the watercolored word die cut to create dimension. I still can't see my sentiment. For my third try, I added the green ink directly to the die cut. What's so nice about the oxide inks is that it kept the brown details on the die cut. I was afraid that I was going to lose that detail. 

But I am still not happy with the look. So as my last attempt to save this project, I used the hugs shadow die included in the set to die cut a brown vellum. I adhered the stacked sentiment on this, then adhered it over the opening created for my supposedly inlay sentiment. Much better, what do you think?

I adhered the frame to a side folding A2 note card, using the corner of the Misti Stamping Tool as a guide to make sure the frame is straight. I also temporarily inlaid the main panel inside the frame to help in positioning. I adhered the main panel after. I embellished the panel with several brown sequins.

Whew! I thought I won't be able to pull this one through. The rewards of perseverance. This card has a chalky feel because of the Oxide inks. I bet, it will have a different look if Distress inks are used. Want to give it a try? Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

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