Create Unique Multi-Color Inkpads

Hi - Jean Okimoto here - with a card that acquired a life of its own once the inks started blending. It began as another abstract background technique project - for a birthday card - with purple flowers, or turquoise stars.  

The inks and water had plans of their own.  I was about to throw the inked paper away and start again because the colors weren't what I expected but I kept working with it, just for the heck of it!   Can you see where they created a loose, asymmetrical heart in shades of pale chartreuse, pink and aqua - like it wanted to be a Valentine card instead?

Start by creating your own multi-color inkpad...

Place a Basic Necessities Pad on a non-slip surface.  Carefully divide it into three sections - about 7/8" each - cutting down just thru the foam.  Slip an old credit card between the sections to keep the inks from mixing and ink it with Lime, Violet and Turquoise ColorBox Pigment Ink Refills.

The pictures below represent the basic technique - but were taken after the piece used on the card was created - so the blended colors and patterns will vary.

Spritz a 4" square of watercolor paper twice with water.  Ink a 3" square acrylic block by dragging it diagonally across the inkpad.  

Spritz it twice - then press it firmly onto a 4" square of watercolor paper.

Rotate the block and press it onto the watercolor paper again.  Lift it up - with the paper still attached to the block and finger-press it to push the colors around.  Let the inks air-dry for a few minutes - then dry them with a heat-tool.

Brayer the watercolor paper with Watermark Twinkle Stardust.  Sprinkle it randomly with little pinches of Grape Scentz Scented Embossing Powder.  Sprinkle it with a few pinches of Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder.  Heat-emboss it.

Diecut Heart Ensemble from dark brown cardstock - save the little cutouts.  Stamp Filled with Love on Sky Cardstock using the Turquoise section of the inkpad.  Emboss it with Opalescent Clear Powder.  Ink the edge of the greeting strip using the Stylus, Tip and Turquoise and emboss it with Opalescent Clear Powder.

Assemble the card - attach the greeting with foam dots.  Attach Scor-Tape to a strip of dark brown cardstock and cut six little strips to create "x's" inside the large heart.

Clearsnap Products - view the 2012 Catalog* here

• Basic Necessities Uninked Pad (*Page 85)
• ColorBox Pigment Ink Refills - Lime, Violet, Turquoise (*Page 14)
• Watermark Twinkle Stardust Inkpad (*Page 22)
• Grape Scentz Scented Embossing Powder (*Page 59)
• Top Boss Opalescent Clear Embossing Powder (*Page25)
• ColorBox Stylus and White Blending Tip (*Page 81)

Stamp

• Memory Box Filled with Love

Other Supplies

• Memory Box Lagoon Notecard and Sky Cardstock
• Dark Brown Cardstock
• Memory Box Heart Ensemble Die
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur and Plates
• Ruler and Craft Knife
• Old Credit Card (or scrap of heavy acetate)
• Heat-Tool
• Spray Bottle and Water
• 3.5" Square Acrylic Block
• Scor-Tape
• Foam Dots

Create your own unique multi-color inkpads with ColorBox Pigment Inks.  You'll love the results!

http://davebrethauer.typepad.com/inkollage/