Friday, April 20, 2018

Last one! Growing in Unity Day Five

Today is my fifth and final day as a 2018 Unity Stamp Company Growing in Unity girl.  This has been a wonderful experience to be able to share some of my projects with you.  I'm so happy for this opportunity to participate in this program for a second year.  Thanks Unity!

Today I have a card and video which shows a unique and fun way of using your ink pads to color your images and backgrounds.  This technique uses brushes or foam pads to apply dye inks to gloss-coated cardstock.



I am using the lighthouse image from the January 2017 SMAK kit, The Ocean is Calling.



I used my Original MISTI and Stazon ink to selectively stamp just the lighthouse portion of the stamp, onto glossy coated paper.  The paper I used here is called Digital Gloss Coat paper from Marco's Paper.  I also stamped and trimmed out a mask for the lighthouse.  Leaving my stamp in place in my MISTI, I cleaned it with Ultraclean, and set my MISTI aside to use again later.

I covered the stamped lighthouse image with my Post-it tape mask, and also added a mask to create a horizon line with the 2" Post-it tape.  I left the tape long enough to secure it to my MISTI mouse pad.  Now I can create my stormy sky with Distress Ink.  You can use most any dye ink on glossy paper for this technique, but you'll want to make sure you have a good archival ink to stamp your images first.


You can use brushes, or makeup sponges, or foam daubers to pick up the ink from for ink pads then use them to apply it to your card with a dragging/sweeping motion.  The glossy paper helps the ink move across.  Regular cardstock will now work well for this technique.  My preference is using the Colorbox stylus with small oval foam tips.  I find them easy, convenient and comfortable to use, but other tools and or sponges will definitely work.


I used many ink colors to create the swirly, stormy sky before removing the horizon mask and replacing it above the horizon line to protect that sky.  I used several of the same ink colors to create the ocean, leaving the water darkest in the distance and working lighter, even leaving some areas white for waves near the shoreline.


I had to create a landform to ground my lighthouse and did so with distress inks as well.  I removed all masks and used small brushes to work small details into my lighthouse with Weathered Wood and Black Soot Distress Inks.


I went back to my MISTI and inked up some, but not all, of the water spray adding it to my card panel with Gina K. Designs White Pigment ink.  I knew I wanted more spray, so I painted more in using my tiny Elf makeup brush and the white pigment ink.  


My sentiment, from the Layers of Life April 2017 kit, Within Each Of Us was carefully heat embossed with Gina K. Designs white embossing powder.





The video of making this card is available here:

It's definitely a fun technique!  Thanks for watching.

And thank you so much for all the comments and encouragement this week!  I appreciate you all so much.  Hopefully the tips and videos I've shared may inspire you to use your stamps and tools in new ways!

Today is the last day to comment, for the chance to win one of two fabulous prize packs donated by Unity Stamp Company.  Notification of the two winners will shared on this blog, and on the Unity Show and Tell and Growing in Unity Facebook pages in the next two weeks.  Those lucky winners will receive 25 random Unity Stamps to play with and hopefully try some of these techniques I've shared this week.

Thanks so much for this opportunity, Unity Stamps!  And thank you all for joining me!

Have a fantastic weekend!



41 comments:

  1. Beautiful card. It looks just like a painting.

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  2. WOW! That is fantastic night scene with that light house. I love watching your video. Thank you for the inspiration and tips!

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  3. This is the best card I have seen made with that lighthouse. I have made a few cards, but will now try it this way because I just love the effect.

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  4. Stunning! I’m going to have to watch your video later, but I can’t wait to see how you made this! Thank you for the tips all week!!

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  5. Wow!!! What a way to go out with a bang! Love this card! I really enjoyed your GIU week! I will use many ideas and techniques from it! Thank you so much!

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  6. Your work is just amazing!...over the top!

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  7. Saved the best for last. Great week thank you so much for showing us your beautiful cards.

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  8. Oh my gosh, I was glued to the screen watching your lighthouse video.....amazing card and technique! Thanks so much for a great week and I really appreciate the videos, they really help a novice like me! 😊

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  9. This is just stunning! Thank you for sharing all of your creations and techniques this week.

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  10. Your card is beautiful. I loved watching you create the stormy sky. I love how you combined stamping with your painting talent. Thank you for the week of inspiration!

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  11. Love this card and the mood it evokes. You always make colouring look so easy!

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  12. Wow--this turned out awesome!

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  13. Wow breathtaking card.. I enjoyed watching your video on how you achieved this stunning look.

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  14. Omgoodness! Your card is stunning! I love your tutorial. I am not good at night skies. You make it look so easy. Thank you for sharing.
    --Phaline Mays

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  15. WOW, that is just gorgeous. It looks like a painting. NICE JOB

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  16. Beautiful! Hard to tell you even used a stamp!

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  17. It has been so much fun to follow your posts this week! Your cards are always a work of art. It's been fun watching how you create them.

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  18. Oh, wow! What a beautiful card! You do amazing work! I've really enjoyed this week and anxious to try some of your ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. Wow!!! This card is amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this week seeing all your cards and learning so much!!! Thank You!!! 🤗

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  20. Amazing. So realistic. Can feel the dark and stormy night.

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  21. So totally amazing!!! I enjoyed watching your video with the whole process! Something to aspire too! This has to be my favourite project of so many beautiful projects this week! Thanks for sharing!!!❤️

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  22. Awesome effect! I love your stormy scene, and watching the process too

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  23. This is amazing!!! Incredibly beautiful!!

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  24. MERCY!! Wow wow wow! Chris, thank you for the video, it was great to see your process in action. I absolutely LOVE your final results.

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  25. Just stunning! Your coloring is amazing. Thank you for the step by step on how to create this amazing design.

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  26. My daughter just said you make coloring look so easy! I agree, but I know it comes naturally to you. Thanks for showing how you made this incredible background. Your card is very dramatic and eye catching!

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  27. Wow, I am in awe of what you just created! Fantastic!

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  28. Wow!! I just checked in & WoW!! This is amazing, it is so 3D!! Your colors and coloring are so so beautiful!! I love the video, it is fun to see just what you did with no extra steps made up in my head!!! I can't wait to check out the rest of your week :) Congrats on the GIU membership <3 and thanks so much for the incredible share.

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  29. Stunning card looks like a stormy night to me but also like a painting done. It is beautiful. Thank you for a week of wonderful cards and time

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  30. Beautiful, Chris. This is a work of art. I love the feelings it evokes.

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  31. WOW, this is absolutely stunning! What an artist you are. I have so enjoyed all of your beautiful creations this week. tfs

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  32. This is amazing! What a piece of art! Loved all your projects this week but WOW this lighthouse is really incredible! You are extremely talented Chris

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  33. This stamp set just arrived on my doorstep! Wow, what great timing to try a hand at your genius! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. Wow, just wow Chris! This is so amazing! Great video.

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  35. Awesome scene! Love the beautiful coloring!

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  36. I know I missed the comment deadline, but I still had to tell you that I love your card. It turned out beautiful!

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  37. Wow... your techniques, coloring... instructions are awesome! This is a great card!!!

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  38. Wow !!! You’re ending this week with a truly stunning card !! That’s actually a true piece of art !! Congratulations for this great week of inspiration. Love from France, Marjorie
    [margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]

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  39. Absolutely love the ocean spray behind the lighthouse. You make amazing cards!

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