You’ve Got This – Stampin’ Blends

My love for stamps and card making started several years ago.  I have always been intrigued by new stamping techniques, paper folding, amazing accessories, and various types of ink.  Very few things have intimidated me.  I will admit that alcohol based blending markers used to be in the intimidation category.  The best ways for me to tackle that challenge were to take an on-line class and to practice.  Please allow me to share a few things that I learned.  But, also remember that everyone has a unique style for using alcohol based markers.

The stamp set I used for this example is the gorgeous You’ve Got This set.  And, the name is just perfect!  Don’t you think?  Grab a scrap piece of white card stock and stamp the flower using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  This is the ink type that you’ll want to use with your alcohol based markers.  Get another piece of scrap paper to put underneath the piece that you’ll color.  The Stampin’ Blends markers will bleed into the second piece of scrap paper as you color.

Step one:  Pick the Stampin’ Blends marker color pair that you want to use for your flower.  The example uses the Daffodil Delight colors.  Use the lighter maker to add ink to your flower.  You’ll notice that I didn’t completely color the flower.  I stayed away from the edges and put color in the middle of the flower and outside petals.  Think of this as a base for color.  It’s almost a small pool or puddle of ink that you’ll use to color.

Step two:  In specific areas, add a little touch of the darker marker.  Don’t overdo the darker marker at first.  You can always come back and add more.

Step three:  Go back to your lighter marker, and pull the darker color into the lighter color.  You can use small circular motions or paint brush flicks to pull the colors together.  The more practice you have, the better you’ll get at this technique.

Step four:  Add a darker color to the middle of the flower to distinguish the center.  The example uses the Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends marker.  Just put a little of this dark color on the bottom of the flower center.  Come back with the lighter flower color (Light Daffodil Delight in the example) to blend the center color.

Step five:  Add the darker color used in Step four to select areas of the flower petals.  Come back with the lighter flower color to blend the petals.

Step six:  Move to the stems and leaves.  Use the Old Olive Stampin’ Blends markers to color this area of the design.  Just like with the flower, add Light Old Olive to the leaves and stem.  You don’t need to color in all parts of the leaves.  Stay away from the outside edges.

Step seven:  Use the Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker to add dark color to select areas of the leaves and stem.

Step eight:  Come back with the Light Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker to blend the leaves and stem.

Here is my suggestion – Go look in your stamp stash.  Pick a design that has open space and is great for coloring.  Get your Tuxedo Black Memento ink and scrap white card stock.  Pick up a few sets of the new Stampin’ Blends.  And, just have some fun practicing coloring!  All the colors are shown below.

Happy stamping!
Laurie