Irresistible Inking Techniques: AECP Class Projects

Hello and welcome to my blog; today I am sharing the last set of projects (besides my final "exam" projects) for the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP). My cards today are inspired (and the homework) for the Irresistible Inking Techniques Online Cardmaking Class. In this class you learn different ways to use your ink pads (or ink cubes) to create stunning projects with ease. There are so many tips and tricks in this fun class to take advantage of using your ink pads to their fullest potential. There were techniques in this class I didn't even know, but had seen without knowing how they achieved the look. On my two cards today I feature a few of these fun inky techniques.

Irresistible Inking Techniques AECP Class Projects:

Project One | Stamp Block Inking & Ink Pad Outlining:

With my first project I picked a technique that I often forget about, but love the results. And that is Stamp Block Inking; this is an easy way to add color with a watercolor effect to a project. This technique has been around for a long time, but as I said I often forget about it and forget just how much I love doing it. Plus, it's super simple and the necessary supplies are minimum. All you have to have for this technique is a few ink pads or ink cubes, a stamping block that is slightly bigger than your planned stamped image, and a water mister.

To start off you want to add press your ink pad(s) to your stamp black to apply a little ink. I picked my Rose Petal Fresh Dye Ink Mini Cubes to use on my project today. The colors I picked from this collection were Rose Quartz, Puffy Heart, and Purple Wine. Because these inks are part of the same collection they will all work well together. I started off my pressing the lightest color (Rose Quartz) to the top half of my stamping block, then I added Puffy Heart in the middle and Purple Wine at the bottom. I then spritzed the ink filled block with a little water and pressed it into the center of my watercolor paper.

Pro Tip: Experiment with the amount of water you use to spritz your block a lot of water will give you a beautiful subtle effect, while less water provides more definition.

You want to let the block sit on the watercolor cardstock a few minutes to have a chance to transfer well to the paper. After the ink has transferred and you remove the stamping block you may have a little excess water pooling just take a paper towel and soak up any excess. Once the ink has dried it's time to stamp your focal image. I picked the Letter Flowers Mini Stamp Set (from Altenew). I stamped the image in Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink right over the Stamp Block Inking. I then stamped the sentiment in the same color. I also stamped the two small hearts from the stamp set in all four of the colors from the Rose Petals Fresh Dye Ink Mini Cubes. I alternated the outline heart between the colors as well as the solid hearts.

Pro Tip: The stamped image doesn't have to fit perfectly inside the shadow (or watercolored) area its also nice to have the image overlapping the block into an open space.

To finish off this card I added a little glitter glue to the small hearts, and took my Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink Pad and brushed it against the edge of the panel. This creates a small separation and adds a fine detail to the edge, that when placed on the white card base makes the focal panel stand out from the background. And that finished my card design for my first project.

Pro Tip: When inking the edge of your cardstock experiment with different kinds of efforts. Hold the ink pad perpendicular to the cardstock for a fine edge, or scuffle the ink pad along the edge for a more distressed look.

Simple Layered Stamping & Ink Splatters:

On my second card I followed one of the other techniques from the class which was selective stamped layering. This was actually something I had never thought of but made perfect scene while I took the class. This allows you to get a different look from your layering stamps. But is just as beautiful and also allows you to get more use of your ink pads as well. This technique can also require a little masking, but nothing major. For example I masked off the flower to stamp the leaves and the stem from the Build-a-Flower Columbine Layering Stamp & Dies. For the stamping I only used the most solid image of the two parts of the flower and the leaves. I also used the two last of the layering stamps.

Pro Tips: Use a clear acrylic block close to the size of your stamped for best results rather than a block thats larger than the stamp.

You may prefer to stand while stamping rather than sitting. Must people find that they have better aim and leverage by standing.

For my stamping of the columbine flowers I used inks from Cool Summer Night Fresh Dye Inks Mini Cubes (Sea Glass & Dusk), Rose Petal Fresh Dye Ink Mini Cubes (Puffy Heart & Cosmic Berry). On the center of the columbine I used inks from Summer Afternoon Fresh Dye Inks (Warm Sunshine & Paper Bag). To stamp the leaves I used inks from the Green Fields Fresh Dye Inks Mini Cubes (Frayed Leaf and Forest Glades); for the stem I just used Forest Glades.

Pro Tips: Practice makes perfect when positioning the layered stamps. Practice with brightly colored ink as it's easier to see.

Save your masks by keeping them inside the stamp package to have them on hand. You can use them a few times before you have to make more.

Once the stamping was completed I stamped the sentiment in Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink as close to the stem of the flower as I could get it. I then took the Forest Glades Ink Cube and pressed it onto an acrylic block and added a little water. I took a small paint brush and splattered on the color and texture to the card front.

Pro Tip: Achieve the splatter effect with a stippled brush or an old tooth brush. You can also use your paint brush by loading the tip, then tapping the barrel of the brush to give you big splattered dots of color.

Also remember that if your layered images aren't perfectly aligned embrace the imperfection! An offset look can be very contemporary. Besides your card is handmade after all, this will just add to the handmade feel of the cards.

(Wondering what I used in this video/project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).

Well there you have it those are the tips and tricks that I picked up from the Irresistible Inking Techniques Online Cardmaking Class. I hope that you found a little inspiration from my projects and that you will take this class if you want to learn more about what you can do with your ink. Happy Crafting!

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Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins