Hi everyone, Jenny here! Today, I'm sharing a technique that features ink blending with Jet Black Ink! On flowers! I know that might sound a little odd, but it really works and gives a wonderful dramatic effect to die-cut florals, perfect for grabbing your Craft-A-Flower sets!
Welcome to Creativity Unlocked, where we highlight a new product from this month’s new collection! Discover each product's endless creative possibilities and get inspired to create the paper crafting ideas we share here. Keep on reading for exclusive tips from our designers, handy tips and tricks, and stunning project inspiration from talented crafters.
Keep on reading for more tips and project ideas using this new layering die set!
Craft-A-Flower: Sulfur Cosmos Layering Die Set
The Craft-A-Flower: Sulfur Cosmos Layering Die Set helps to create beautiful realistic sulfur cosmos flowers. Layering these flowers is super easy and fun! Simply follow the keyhole or the arrow guide and layer the petals to create life-like flowers! This die set will also give you three leaves of various sizes to help you complete your floral arrangement.
Need help with layering? We've got you!
Download the layering guide below:
Ink Blending on Florals Using Black Ink
My card today features the Craft-A-Flower Sulfur Cosmos but can work with any of the Craft-A-Flowers with the same technique.
The set is gorgeous, featuring large leaves and two big blooms. The new numbered dies with little arrows in the center make it SUPER easy to align all of the die cuts.
I die-cut all of the petals and leaves from Solar White 80lb Cardstock.
Pair Jet Black Ink with a Gray Tone Colored Ink
I started ink blending on the florals, mainly using Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink, but I wanted to soften up the black while still staying subtle to get that ‘white petal' effect. So I paired it with a gray undertoned ink, like Pale Mauve Crisp Dye Ink.
I used the Mini Blending Brushes to blend the Pale Mauve into the center of each of the layers of the petals (before adhering them together), ink blending and fading towards the outer end of the petal, leaving around a quarter of the length white.
I then used Jet Black Ink and blended it in the center, dark concentrated in the center and fading out quickly, ink blending it into the Pale Mauve. I also added black all over the flower centers for the deepest shade of black.
I added only black ink for the leaves, fading to gray and then white towards the outer tips.
Create a Scored Background
I adhered the flower layers together with liquid glue, using the arrows in the center as a guide.
To create the background, I used another panel of Solar White Cardstock with my Crafter's Essential Scoring Board. I added lots of score lines – around the outer edge 1/4″ from the outside to create a frame and several vertical lines towards the left side, 1/4″ apart.
This pattern is subtle, and it also leaves a flat area for stamping a sentiment. My sentiment is from the Better Together stamp set, stamped in Obsidian Pigment Ink. In order to place it, I arranged the flowers, without adhering, onto the panel to get the right layout.
Add Shimmer and Shine to Finish
You'll see some sparkle on the flowers. I spritzed them with Iridescent Shimmer Ink Spray a few times – this ink has a green/pink tone depending on which way in the light you tip it. Perfect pairing with the Pale Mauve. I didn't add any shimmer to the leaves, so they'd fade into the background a little.
I then arranged my florals and leaves around the sentiment with foam squares and glue and scattered a few iridescent gems here and there. As a finishing touch, I also added some crystal drops in the centers for a deep black glossy shine.
You can check out the full end-to-end how-to in my video tutorial over on YouTube – part of my Stylish Cardmaking Techniques with Jenny video series.
Designer's Tips!
Petal #1 starts at the bottom of the flower, and each successive number will go above the previous one.
Perfect Pairings!
We've curated a few items that will go well with this product. Check them out!
Craft-A-Flower: Cape Marguerite Layering Die Set ▪ Craft-A-Flower: Garden Rose Layering Die Set
1 Product, Multiple Ways!
Before you go, here are a few card ideas featuring this new layering die set!
B-E-A-U-tiful! This stunner by Jaycee uses black cardstock as the card base, making the cosmos pop off the page. We also love the use of white paint splatters here!
Here's a fun idea! Die cut the images out of colored cardstock and then use a blending tool to lightly blend a similar ink color around the edges to add some extra depth of color to the flowers. Read more here.
Why settle for just ONE flower when you can have SIX?! Therese definitely went above and beyond with her gorgeous card, and we can't stop looking at it in awe! She also did some ink blending on each flower!
The beauty of these die-cuts is the fact that you can use them in the middle of your card – as the focal point – or around the edges as a border. Nathalie's card is giving us lovely tropical vibes!
If ink blending is your cup of tea, then go for it! Simply die-cut the flowers and leaves out of white cardstock and add colors through ink blending – just like Seeka did. Here's a TIP from Seeka: For extra dimension, stick very small bits of foam tape beneath the end of each petal. Leaving the release paper in place lets each petal lift away freely from the one beneath it. Read more here.
Check out this month's Marvelous Monthly Series release blog post for more project ideas.
What do you think about the new Craft-A-Flower: Sulfur Cosmos Layering Die Set? Which project/s caught your eye? Comment below! Thank you for stopping by!
~Supply List~
1 comment
beautiful! never would have thought to use black!