Thursday, June 19, 2014

Distress Ink Giveaway

Congratulations to the winners of the new Mini Distress Inks!
Thanks to all who left a comment on the post, as well as your nice words.
If you are one of the 3 winners, please send your shipping information to paula@oneluckyday.net

sara j
I am in love with the butterfly....a wondrous creature you have created. Anxiously awaiting the dragonfly....
In this group I think I'll go with the Number 7 group....can't wait to play!

rkramadh
Just gorgeous! Yup, it looked ugly and then it was a real beauty! It's kinda like the caterpillar itself and then the gorgeous butterfly born from it? :) I LOVE SET #8. Anything orange, I am sold!

Altered Addict
You know I don't think I ever realized that the colors were sold in sets of colors that would mix well, talk about a major duh moment... I can't wait to start collecting the mini sets.... a much cheaper way to collect all the colors,

I love your butterfly, I keep meaning to buy some rock candy and never do it when I am at my craft store.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow, because I've go this going on....wonder where it is heading?
now carry on,
paula




Monday, June 16, 2014

Distress Ink Butterfly

A nice little package was delivered to my door a few days ago. They say good things come in small packages right?  I'm happy to announce that 3 more sets of Distress Ink Mini's have been released by Ranger and will begin shipping today.  Here is a look at the sets being released.
I thought creating a monoprint of each set would show you how the colors in each set look together.  So good, right?
But then again, look at set #8.

Set #9 is a little muted...but still great for something masculine or the fall season that will be upon us in just a few short months!

Something I have started doing is writing the set # in Sharpie marker on the bottom of each pad.  The Distress Inks are totally mix and match of course, but I like the thought of knowing what combinations Tim put together.  Seems the colors always work together perfectly and when I need a quick pre-made combination...I can just look at the bottom and know they will work together.

I had an idea to make a card using the new Layered Butterfly.   This comes as a set, the Bigz steel rule die to cut the butterfly and the texture fade to make the impression. 

First, I cut the butterfly out of Ranger Watercolor paper using the Bigz die. 
Move the cut piece into the texture fade, matching up the lines.
Send the Texture Fade through the Vagabond or Big Shot to get the detailed impression.  Simple and easy!
Before I get started, I want to warn you that you have to stick with me till the end.  It's one of those techniques that goes through a bit of ugly before it gets better.

I'm using set #7 that has Old Paper, Worn Lipstick, Wild Honey and Weathered Wood.  I used a Mini Distress Tool to rub Old Paper Distress ink over the raised portion of the butterfly.  If you get the ink into the recessed part, it's not a problem, just keep going.
Pounce each of the 3 remaining colors onto your Craft sheet.  Use a detail waterbrush to pick up each color (one at a time) and add to the butterfly.
I know, this is the part where I'm going to loose half of you because your thinking, Paula, that looks like a 5 year old did the paint job.  Well, in this technique, it just doesn't matter.
The goal is to color the recessed areas of the butterfly.  If the colors get on the raised area it is not a problem...just keep moving.
Use a Mini Blending Tool to add Vintage Photo to the edges of the butterfly (I know, it still doesn't look any better).
Here is where it gets good....Use your finger to spread a layer of Distress Crackle Paint (clear rock candy) over the entire butterfly.  I put it on kinda thick with at least enough to fill the recessed parts of the butterfly.
The hardest part is to set it aside and let it dry.
After about 30 minutes I can see the crackle start to happen....just another 30 minutes or so.
While the Crackle is drying, cut a card backing.
I cut a 6 x 12" piece of turquoise Core'dinations cardstock.  I folded the left side towards the center 4 1/4" and the right side toward the center 2" (you will see this in a later step).
I also cut a piece of patterned paper to go on the front of the card from the 8 x 8" mini Stash - Menagerie.  I inked the edges with Weathered Wood.
Then (you know me), spritzed it with water and crumpled it up into a ball.
I unfolded it, ripped some of the edges (on purpose), dried it with a heat tool and inked it a bit more.
I wanted a bit of a sheen, so I sprayed it with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mists.
Once dry, I stitched it to the card front.  I gave myself quite of bit of leeway on the sewing so I would have plenty of paper to bend and fold over.
I need some ribbon...again using the same colors as the butterfly - I pounced on some color from the ink pads, spritzed the ink with water and then laid two pieces of Crinkle Ribbon in the wet ink (16" + 23").
Just keep turning and sopping up the ink.  Keep a good watch on the ink so the 3 colors don't become muddy.  If at any point you think it might be heading that direction.  Stop.  Dry your ribbon.  Add more ink/water to the craft mat and start a new layer over the dried one.
Once dry, the colors are very subtle.  Probably one of my favorite combinations of colors.
I tied the 16" ribbon around the card and tied a knot.
Wind the 23" piece around your fingers in a loop till you run out of ribbon.
Pull the ribbon from your fingers (pinching in the middle), then secure the loops with the two ends of the 16" ribbon. (you can see step-outs here).
Okay, so now I'm ready for the butterfly!
And after an hour or so depending on how thick the Crackle paint, I have this.  Can you see that any missteps in the waterbrush/painting portion is corrected by the Distress Crackle paint?
I added the butterfly to the card front - just adding thin foam tape to the center for now.
Once the butterfly was on the card, I decided I wanted to give it a more vintage look, so I rubbed Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the top of the crackle.  This step is totally a matter of taste.  You can always be done at the previous step and leave the butterfly nice and shiny.
I also wanted to add some Sizzix Frameworks in the honeycomb shape.  I cut a couple pieces, then colored them with 2 coats of Distress Paint in Tarnished Brass.
I added small bits of Scotch Foam Tape to the back in preparation of adding it to the card front.
I also prepared a flag that I stamped with the Stamper Anonymous Hashtags stamp set.  I inked and sanded the cardstock, then poked a hole for a Mini Fastener.
I also created a simple embellishment to pin into the Crinkle ribbon (wire pin, jump ring and heart charm).
Add the Frameworks, flag and pin to the card front.  Once the Frameworks is on the card you can adhere the butterfly wing to the left side of the card.
And there you go.
I love how the butterfly turned out.

Love the vintage look of the crackle over the Distress Ink (I told you that bad painting job wouldn't matter!)
GIVEAWAY
In honor of the new release colors, Ranger also sent me an extra set of each to give away.  I'm going to split up the sets, so there are 3 winners (one set each).  If you are interested in winning a set of the new Mini Distress Inks just leave me a comment and tell me if you have a favorite combination.  

Be sure to check back on Thursday morning (19th) to see who won!  Good Luck everyone.


now carry on, 
paula