How Much Difference Does Ink Color Choice Make?

Have you ever had an idea in your head and when you put it to paper it came out totally different than you had intended? Sometimes you like it and sometimes you hate it, right? Or, how about the times that you've seen samples made using a certain set but when you get and use it you just don't like the results? Been there, done that!! Sometimes the difference comes from the colors that we choose to use--either ink colors or paper colors. Those choices really can make or break a card sometimes.

Or, on the flip side, do you really like a card that you've made but you want to change it up a little? Try changing the colors!

I decided that I wanted to try a little "test". Last week, I made two cards that are almost exactly the same but they use totally different ink and paper colors. I used the stamp set "Blossom Builders" from The Angel Company (TAC) and the words came from the stamp set "Sail Away".

Each card is built the same. I tried to stamp the flowers and shapes in the same position. They are each stamped on white cardstock and adhered to a solid cardstock as the base of the card. Each card also has twill wrapped around each section and has 3 flower centers that were cut out with the coluzzle and then adhered with pop dots. The centers of those flowers have stickles on them.

Look at how totally different these two cards turned out even though they are made almost exactly the same way! That will give you an idea of how you can change a card just by using different colors of inks or papers. And, as a side note, changing the embellishments that you use on a card can also greatly change the way a card looks as well. Try using different ribbons or brads or other accessories. You might just surprise yourself with how it turns out!

I also took a photo of the "Bright" blossoms card from the side so that you could see the dimension that the pop dots add to the cards.

A quick note about twill. Did you know you can stamp on twill or ribbon to customize it? I found that twill was one of the easiest ribbons to stamp on and that the VersaMagic Chalk inks worked the best. The Palette inks (on the twill) bled just a little but the chalk ink went on nice & smooth and left a nice, crisp image. So, if you want ribbon with flowers but can't find what you're looking for, make your own! Want to add a sentiment to a busy card (like the ones here) but can't find a good place to put it, stamp it on your ribbon!

Fun Folded Cards

Would you like to make a card that doesn't look like a standard card yet will still fit in a regular sized envelope? I have a few ideas for you! If you would like to see a close-up of any of these cards, just click on the picture.

This first card is called a "Joy Fold" card. I'm not sure where that name came from, but it is a fun card to make with a unique look! Basically you have a panel that opens to reveal the message inside. Very cute!

You can see from the second picture how it opens to reveal the inside message. The card part opens and so does the panel.

I used the The Angel Company's "Love & Joy" stamp set for the flowers on the flap and on the inside of the card. The "plant smiles" sentiment is from the TAC "Nurture Your Soul" word set and the large "Laugh" stamp is from a set called "Fun Time". All inks used are Pallette inks (the best!!). The patterned paper is from the TAC "Catelynne" collection.

The second fun card is a tentfold card that has become quite popular recently. Basically, it is a smaller card with the top image piece attached so that it sticks out above where you fold the card. Believe it or not, this still fits in a stardard size (A2) envelope!

This stamp set is a fun one called "Retail Therapy" and it is colored with watercolor crayons and a dove blender. There are stickles on her dress and on the presents. The paper and tag are from the TAC "Catelynne" paper collection.

Paper Bag Cards for Graduation

Graduation will be upon us very, very soon. Have you thought about buying all of those graduation cards? It can get a little pricey! Why not make your own? Here is a card that I made this week, intended for graduation. It is made out of a paper lunch sack that has been folded in half! How fun is that?!

This bag is white, but you could also use a regular kraft colored bag. Or, if you want lots of color, you can also get colored bags.

The design on this card was inspired by one that I saw while at an Team meeting this past weekend. I do not know who made that card but she had used a gel pack over the boat to look like water. I didn't want to go through all of the trouble to do that, but I did want to mimic that look. After I colored my image (from the TAC set "Pull Up Anchor") and cut it out using the oval Coluzzle template I covered it with VersaMark ink. Then, I took Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) and sprinkled it on top to cover the image entirely and heated it with my heat gun. Because UTEE is so thick, it will not cover the entire image in one shot and instead it makes a water drop effect. You can see this in a little more detail by clicking on the image and viewing it up close. I used shimmer chalk that TAC carries (GREAT product) to add a light splash of color to the white background, enhancing the "water drops".

You can also see the pictures of what the card looks like open. I glued a piece of Kraft cardstock that I had stamped on to the inside panel using the sentiment from the "Pull Up Anchor" set which is perfect for graduation and also the "Congratulations" stamp which comes from "Trendy Greetings". The sentiment says "Wherever you go, go will all your heart." (Click on picture to see it up close.)

There is also a pull out tag that goes inside the opening of the bag. The stamps that I used on that page are from the "Punctuation" set that is available during Spring Fling with a $30 purchase through May 31st. On this tag I can write a memory or sentiment or scripture verse to the graduate and it is also a great place to include a monetary gift. The "pull" on the tag is made by punching out two 2" circles, gluing them together and then attaching them to the back of the tag. Pretty simple.

You could use this "bag" card for so many other occassions as well. It would be great for anytime you are giving a gift card or monetary gift. It is also a lot of fun and sure to impress the recipient!!

TAC Terrific Trio Contest

I am so excited to share with you that I won another TAC contest! This was a Terrific Trio contest where you submit 3 cards made with no more than two TAC stamp sets. My entries are below. If you would like to view them on The Angel Company website, click here for the link.





The basic supplies that I used for these cards are:

TAC Wild West Stamp Set
TAC Treasure Seeker Stamp Word Set
DCWV Paper
Bazzill Browns Paper
Ivory Ultrasmooth Cardstock
Watercolor Crayons
Dove Blender
Designer Dries Clear Glue
Hemp Cord
Crimper
Edge Distresser
Noir & Burnt Umber Palette Ink