By LV Handcrafted

Skill: Advance

Time: 25 minutes

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). Do you feel like doing something a little abstract?  Try these techniques out for creating some fun backgrounds you can use as panels or die cut out of like I’ve done here.  In my video, I’ll show you 3 techniques for using Imagine inks to turn plain ol’ white cardstock into beautiful, abstract papers. All the techniques are super easy but I’ll list them below in order of what I think is simplest to the most elaborate.

Technique #1 – Swipe your Memento Dew Drop ink pad directly onto your white cardstock. you can create a solid block of color or use a lighter touch to create a more stripy, imperfect effect. Instantly, you’ll have a panel of color cardstock! The benefit to making your own cardstock this way is if you use that ink pad to stamp with, you now have paper that perfectly coordinates with it. 

[Note: I used this technique for the flowers — stems and flower blooms]

Technique #2 – Smear some ink onto a piece of acetate or clear plastic packaging. Spritz with water — more water will dilute the color more, less water will keep the colors strong and vibrant. Smoosh the watered down ink onto a white cardstock panel. Repeat with a single or multiple colors until you have the desired effect.  Tip – if you are using plain cardstock and not watercolor paper, the more water you use, the more your paper will warp.  Try less water or put your panel under a stack of books to flatten it out. 

[Note: I used this technique for the inner heart die cut behind the bouquet of flowers.]

Technique #3 – Start with Technique #1 to lay down a solid block of color. Then, using a Brilliance Dew Drop in Pearlescent finish, make random swipes, swirls, streaks, etc. across your panel.  Brilliance ink is a pigment ink, so it will take a little bit of time to dry, but you can also take a heat gun to the panel or cover with clear Mboss powder and melt it for a lovely shine.  The result is a panel that has some lovely streaks of pearlescent shine.

[Note: I used this technique on the flower blooms to give them an abstract look. I also die cut the word “Mom” and the heart from this panel too.]

Supplies Used

Imagine

• Memento Dew Drop 12pk
• Brilliance Dew Drop Jewel Tones 4pk

Other Products :

• Spellbinders Large Die of the Month Jan 2019
• Cottage Cuts Love You Mom Phrase Die
• Spellbinders 3D Embossing Folder of the Month Mar 2023
• Vellum
• DMC Diamante Metallic Embroidery Floss in Silver
• Dymo Label Maker
• Spellbinders Solid Color Cardstock in Wild Berry
• Hammermill 100lb white card stock (card base)