Inky Framed Card Technique

Yesterday I saw this card on the Hero Arts blog and I just had to give it a try... only problem is, I don't have the nifty Brushed Frame stamp that was used to create the card!

Bummer!!

So I decided to treat this as a personal challenge to myself to come up with something that would work just as well.

The first thing I did was to draw a 4"x6" on a sheet of white cardstock.

I then cut that rectangle from the cardstock so I have a frame and a center piece.

I tore all four edges of the rectangle that I cut from the cardstock. 

You can test fit it to see what your inky frame will look like....

I decided to take a bit more paper off here and there for a nicer look.

Now, use painters tape; tissue tape or washi tape to secure your frame to your piece of cardstock that you want to ink. I used a minty green cardstock to make it easier to see in the photos.  This is going to change my ink colors a bit - if you used white cardstock the inks would be more vibrant.

You also need to use a bit of removable adhesive to secure the torn rectangle inside the frame on the colored cardstock.

It's time to add the ink.  I am using Distress Stain which I have applied directly to my ink blending tool foam.

Next dab the inks around the frame in any fashion you would like.  I'm just dabbing the colors here and there in no particular pattern.  Instead of the IBT you could also use a stipple brush, make-up foam or cotton ball in a pinch.

When you've added inks all around the frame you're ready to remove the center piece and frame piece.....

And here's how it turned out! 

Pretty good for a first try. 

 

I'm thinkin' to get the blended/splotchy look of the original that a Stipple Brush might be a better choice to apply the inks.  You could control the saturation and blend the inks a bit better.

 

!! Just a note !!  

You could use this frame and center several times as long as you let the inks dry before you go inkin' up the next frame.

You can now cut out the inky frame and use it as desired!

I paired my frame with a Queen Ann's Lace stamp from Inkadinkado

with a sentiment stamp & cardstock from Club Scrap.

 

Just think of all the fun combinations you could use to create loads of fun cards.

You don't have to limit yourself to rectangles either....

Think - circles, squares, ovals, hearts, stars, flowers, etc.

This is a great way to use some of your dies that may have been collecting dust or maybe you could use your electronic die cut machine to cut some fun shapes!

 

The possibilities for this particular technique are really endless.

So off with you now and get inky!