Yesterday, we looked at a wet technique with versamark ink. Today, let’s see how a versamark image that’s been heat embossed with detail clear powder works.

The design is definitely clearer, wouldn’t you say? I tried take advantage of paper’s tendency to wick ink, but it just didn’t want to spread on this paper. I’ll have to experiment with other techniques to see what works. Science tells me paper should absorb ink and pull it upward, but there may be something about the finish of this paper that interferes with that. Or my process could be ineffective. I love crafting as science experiment.

Since the ink didn’t want to wick, I painted it on in layers to create a dark to light  effect.

To create a focal image, I got out my distress inks and colored a heat embossed celtic knot border stamp. Add a stamped sentiment on a label, and the card is done.

What do you think? This particular ombre effect definitely needs work, don’t you think?

If you want to try to make this, you can get some of the supplies from Amazon: (affiliate links)

Today, we’re going to start a series of four cards that all begin with resist techniques using versamark ink. Below, you can see four samples. The top two are dry techniques, and the bottom two are wet techniques. The two on the right use versamark as a resist. The two on the left use versamark that has been embossed with clear embossing powder.

The wet techniques started with two pieces of paper, one stamped with versamark alone, and the other stamped with versamark, and then sprinkled with clear embossing powder, which was then heated after the excess was shaken off the paper. Next, a thin layer of iridescent medium was painted on both papers, and then a water color wash was added at one end to attempt an ombre effect. The ombre effect didn’t really work on either card. (I’ll have to explore that more to find a technique that works.) But you do get a good comparison of how wet techniques work with resist techniques. With versamark alone, you get very subtle texture, as you can see below.

We’ll take a look at the other techniques later this week. Let’s use up this paper for today.

In addition to the very subtle resist pattern, a veggie themed text stamp was stamped over the background as well, once again providing a barely discernible texture to the background. A few stickers and a stamped addition to an Amy Tangerine sentiment finishes this card off quickly.

Verdict? I’m not planning on using a wet technique with versamark alone again. Too subtle a texture for me. What do you think?

If you like this card, you could try for something similar using these supplies from Amazon: (affiliate link)

Let’s do a super simple card for today:

While looking for a stamp to inspire today’s card, I came across this tough little chick. He seemed like a great place to start.

After coloring him in with distress markers, and stamping the sentiment and tire tracks, he just needed a shadow to ground him.

So quick and so much fun to do. This card made me giggle while making it. What can I say? Bad puns appeal to me.

If you want to find this stamp, he’s from DeNami Design. They have a huge line of chick themed stamps that are adorable. You should check them out.

The rest of the supplies can be found on Amazon. (affiliate links)

Let’s play with a few more paper scraps today.

The VW van is a stamp my exchange student brought with him when he arrived. It works well with the papers I picked up in Arizona, don’t you think? One last item of note before we’re done for today.

The road sign was just what I wanted to finish the card, but the original design just didn’t make sense with the theme of the card. So a quick sentiment stamp and a few snips with the scissors later, and the sign has been re-purposed.

What do you think? Want to hit the road in my cute little VW bus? I know I do!

The stamp I have came from Germany, but you could try these out to make your own. (Amazon affiliate links)

Today’s card is all about using up scraps. I had a few scraps of paper left from the past few cards I’ve made, and it made sense to use them up, rather than add them to my pile of paper scraps.

A few tags and bling, and stickers from a Cosmo Cricket tiny text set, and the card is done.

It feels incomplete without a stamp on it.

But then again, not everything you make will be something that you love. Some will work really well, some will work better than you expected, and others will fall flat. That’s the nature of creativity. At its heart, making things is about exploring and experimentation. That’s why it keeps us enthralled.

Do you have any cards or pages you’ve made that you find less than inspiring? If you’re feeling brave, feel free to link them up in the comments below!