Last week we discovered that there is no Halloween DSP coming in the Holiday mini catalog, so I decided to see what I could create to fill the void using ink, blocks, and a DSP from the annual catalog. Today I want to share with you how easy it is to create this background using the Inked Acrylic Block Technique!
FYI – I did reink my ink pads so the colors below are deeper than the muted ones in the card above. I also chose a different pattern from the Country Woods DSP so that will also account for the differences!
The first thing I needed to do was select my color palette combo – Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape, and Crushed Curry. Using a variety of sizes and shapes of acrylic blocks I started in one corner of the mat -( the right one is a pattern from the Country Woods DSP, the left one is simply a Basic White mat) I begin layering color by tapping the block to the ink pad. Be sure to have good coverage – if you look at the block in the above photo you can see an area of white remaining in the center.
I only used the inked block once, then I reinked so I have good coverage every time. Instead of stamping one ink sporadically on the mats, then filling in around, I chose to work by connecting the colors as I went. First I stamped the Pumpkin Pie block in the bottom right, added the Crushed Curry beside that, then the Gorgeous Grape to the far left. staggering the block sizes. Can you see where I have over lapped the inked blocks as well? I’m leaving no white space or DSP uninked. I also have a more opaque look where the white shines through. If you experiment you could lightly spritz the inked block with rubbing alcohol before stamping to the paper creating a more solid coverage. Be careful though!!! Too much spritzing and you will be starting over from the drips!
I continued adding color and filling the entire mat with blocks of ink. If you look closely, you can see the overlapping of the inked blocks creating smaller blocks of color as well.
Once I have added ink to the entire mat, I then began stamping some of the smaller stamps from the Playful Ghosts stamp set. I simply added these stamped images randomly with Memento Black ink, then before assemblying the card, I placed the white/black mats stamped with the large images. Make sure you have your placement figured out, then look at the background. Do you have any areas of inked blocks visible without a small stamper image??? You can always go back and add a stamp in those areas, but much easier to do so BEFORE putting your card together!!!!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Until we see the Halloween DSP coming out in September with the scrapbooking suites, I can still shift into Halloween mode by playing with techniques and colors!
Remember, BONUS DAYS end TODAY!!! Grab those codes while you can to help cover the costs of August orders! Until next time, have a great day stamping, a great day doing what makes you happey, and God Bless!
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