Distress Inks: 4 steps & just 2 colors for an artsy focal piece

Slanted Tree Card

Hi there! Today I’d like to share an all-occasion card that I made using Distress Inks. The focal piece for this card is made from Fadeless Art Board (similar to poster board), which has a coated surface that works well with Distress Inks.

I used only two colors – Broken China and Spiced Marmalade – to create all the rich colors in the focal piece’s background. All the pinks, greens, and browns that you see, in addition to the orange and aqua, come from the blending of those two Distress Ink colors.

Step 1: Apply Distress Inks to non-stick craft sheet

I got out my non-stick craft sheet and applied Broken China and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks directly to the craft sheet. Then I used a mini-mister filled with water to spritz the ink until it beaded up.

Step 2: Dip and flip – twice

I dipped the art board face down into the ink, wiggled it, turned it right side up, and immediately dried it with my Heat It craft tool (heat gun). Then, I dipped it face down a second time in the remaining ink, wiggled it, turned it right side up, and dried it again.

Step 3: Overstamp and embellish

Next I stamped Hero Arts K5094 Slanted Tree on top, using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Once the ink was dry, I die cut and dry embossed the Distress Ink panel using Spellbinders Nestabilities (Nesties) Labels Three. Then I added some gemstone flowers from Hero Arts CH143 Sparkle Gem Blossoms and a velvet ribbon from American Crafts.

Step 4: Add finishing details to your card

The background paper is from Basic Grey’s Recess 6×6 paper pad. I dry embossed it using a Stampin’ Up/Sizzix “Elegant Lines” embossing folder. Then I adhered the background to a cream card base. The focal piece is attached with foam squares for dimension.

Thanks for looking! :-)

{ 2 appreciated comments }

1 Paula January 18, 2012 at 6:40 am: Hi Anne,

What wonderful cards. I love distress inks they can do so much & always look so amazing. Your cards are proof of that :o). Love them all xoxoxoxoxo
2 Dawn T January 19, 2012 at 2:13 am: I am very impressed with the way the colours blended on your special art board Anne. I would have thought there were definitely more than two colours of ink. Looks wonderful as does the finished card.