Throwback Thursday - Pigment Ink Art

When I first got into card making, I bought a die cut machine and made shapes with a little bit of stamping. As time progressed, I began finding that I preferred stamping to the die-cut. What that led to was the use of pigment inks to create the "tie-dye" affect. I found it fun to create this type of background layer for cards. Here's some cards I have made using this technique:

If you are wondering how to do this, you need pigment ink and some type of dauber. I bought similar daubers and ink to those pictured below.

 I prefer to use card stock for my projects, but many others use photo paper to get a more blended effect. If you are interested, please look at youtube to see some of the wonderful artists who use these types of techniques. You would be amazed! I know that I was.

Make it Monday - Inspiring your heart with Art

As a lover of art and creativity, this is a fairly simple week to develop in terms of crafting. I have previously made dauber projects, but this one really was super fun to do. I started out with a different idea. As I started working though, I quickly changed my tactics. As it is getting closer to Valentine's Day and the theme is Inspire your HEART, I chose to make this as a heart.

Here's the picture - with a view of the mess on my craft table while crafting!

Note: This, like most of my crafting posts this year, will contain more written instructions and less pictures.
If you would like step to step pictures with this technique stay tuned to Scrappy Saturday on 1/31/2015.

Materials
Paper cutter or scissors
Ruler
Pen (if you don't use a paper cutter with a ruler attached)
One card base
One main color (backing)
A sheet of white card stock
A sheet of white copy paper.
Sponge Daubers
Pigment ink
A stamp if you want that
StazOn Jet Black ink (for stamp)
Acrylic block (for stamp)
Roller Tape


1. Cut a piece of 8.5 x 11 card stock in half to obtain two 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 cards. Score one in half, making your card.

2. Cut a piece of purple card stock to 4 x 5 1/4. This is the "backing."

3. Cut a piece of white card stock to 3 3/4 x 5. This is the mat. Take a small piece of tape and place it on the back of this piece and place it on top of your sheet of white card stock. This will protect your surface from ink.

4. Using the white copy paper, cut a heart free hand. If you want to use a die cut machine to create a heart you like, do so. I don't have one, so I used my scissors and pretended I was in elementary school. Place a small piece of tape on the back and adhere it to your mat.

5. Using the daubers, choose whatever colors you wish. Rub them across the ink. Holding the side of the heart down, begin in circular motions to rub the ink onto the mat. Repeat until you have the entire outline of the heart. You can remove the heart now if you wish or continue to blend the ink around.

6. Once finished, take the mat and and adhere it to the backing with tape. I chose not to embellish any more. Adhere the layers to the card base.


What is so lovely about this card is that it opens your mind to using this technique in many other ways. The original way I saw this accomplished was using glossy photo paper which made the finished product glossy. I prefer a more matte card, but feel free to explore this type of technique. 

Revealing the Theme - Inspire your Heart with Art

Art has always been a part of my life, but sometimes we look at art as something you have to find in a museum and created by historic figures like Monet or Michelangelo. The true definition of art is an expression of human creative skill or imagination that produces works to be appreciated for their beauty of emotional power. We, as humans, have come to think of art as something valuable. And sometimes that makes us forget that art comes in various mediums, crafts, and values.

Take something like this:

This is my first "Shape Buddy." The pattern has not been developed further, but may come out in the future. Look at it's eyes. They are off center and very crooked. The mouth is strange. The arms and legs are not matching exactly. Yet, I created it. I spent my time and effort imagining and crafting this little guy. I am proud of him. He is unique. But someone like Monet or Michelangelo would never claim that this is art. Even people who study art would say this is a craft.

Yet, but the very definition of art: I created something inspired by imagination which is appreciated by me and my nieces for the comfort it brings. It is art.

When I really look at the crafting I accomplish, I see art in it all. Effort. Imagination. Cunning. And every emotion is put into every single piece.

So this week is designated to Inspire your Heart with Art.

You can take this literal like I have done. Or you can take it as abstract as you wish by only crafting what you love and have passion for this week. 

Here's the list of materials for tomorrow's project:

Materials
Paper cutter or scissors
Ruler
Pen (if you don't use a paper cutter with a ruler attached)
One card base
One main color (backing)
A sheet of white card stock
A sheet of white copy paper.
Sponge Daubers
Pigment ink
A stamp if you want that
StazOn Jet Black ink (for stamp)
Acrylic block (for stamp)