Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ink-spiration

Last October, when I was visiting some of my good fellow addicts scrapbooking friends in West Palm Beach, I was introduced to the Take Ten Stamper's Sampler and Somerset Studio magazines, both part of Stampington & Company's publications. Talk about a treasure trove of information and inspiration!

Any of you who know me and who have seen my layouts, know that one tool I consistently use in my scrapbooking supply arsenal is distress ink. I outline almost all of my papers with distress ink (or inks as is generally the case) because I feel the ink(s) add more dimension to my papers.

However, what I saw the Somerset people doing made me (mentally) smack my hand to my forehead and exclaim, "Why didn't I think of that?!" What the Somerset guys taught me to do is not only to ink my papers but to "ink" around my fussy-cut or paper embellishments, too! Instead of using distress ink pads, which are almost impossible to get into small crevices and corners, Somerset uses markers to outline the edges of the paper. I tried it and what a difference I think it makes. See?

{Note: all additional distressing to paper flowers and leaves shown below were provided courtesy of Cross-Eyed Pete and Danny-Boy, this author's ill-behaved, far-too-curious cats who have developed an ill-advised, intense fascination for scrapbooking supplies}

Flowers before outlining with marker

Flowers after being outlined with marker

Fussy-Cut leaf section before being outlined with marker

Fussy-Cut leaf section after being outlined with marker

Now, Somerset Magazine shows all images as being outlined with black marker. I used marker colors that were similar to the paper color. Eventually, I will try outlining my images in contrasting colors to see what result I get.

Why don't you play with this technique, too, and let me know what you think. If you email me a picture of your layout or card in which you have outlined your images with marker, I would love to post YOUR creation on my blog! (Email is krissyrockstx@yahoo.com)

Happy scrapping!

5 comments:

  1. I never noticed that when reading SOmerset...my fav is Somerset Memories but at $15 a pop, I don't always get to read it...my sis just gifted me a boatload of markers so guess what? this will be my new fascination!

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  2. ps-this is actually another of my favorites from you...love the photo angles the best..captured the smiles and the playfulness...colors rock!

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  3. Kate, their magazines ARE expensive! I usually share mine with a girlfriend and vice-versa to make the cost a little more palatable. But I feel like a little kid looking at the Sears Christmas Wish Book (remember those?) every time I look through one! Have fun using all your markers!!!

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  4. i outline just about everything in black marker...love the contrast it gives!

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  5. ps-am not sure if you can see, but I took your advice and outlined my paper flowers (2nd Layout-flower with star brad in middle)on this LO:

    http://kateblue.blogspot.com/2011/02/february-counterfeit-kit-challenge-my.html

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