Direct-To-Paper Techniques + SALE + GIVEAWAYS
I am SO very excited about today’s post! We are celebrating the 45th anniversary of Hero Arts. (Amazing, huh!?) And I have several super simple techniques for you, too.
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.]
I have been stamping for many years… over 15. And sometimes I forget about those beginning techniques that helped me fall in love with the hobby. So today I am bringing one of easiest techniques back… direct-to-paper. This can be done with any ink and is a fast way to create colorful backgrounds!
My first few cards show the fun look you can get by dragging an ink pad in a circle on paper. I used the new Hero Arts Reactive Inks (SSS | HA | EH) but you could use any ink for this! To add texture to the background, I embossed it with the Hero Arts Circle Confetti Die (SSS | HA | EH) and Spellbinders Embossing Mat.
To form a window around my inked piece, I used a bit of simple stamping and partial die cutting with the Hero Arts From The Vault Birthday (SSS | HA | EH) stamp and dies and a Hero Arts Circle Infinity Die (SSS | HA | EH). I added all of my pieces onto a note card I made with Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock (SSS | HA | EH) – this is the best black cardstock in town!
My next card is similar, but I didn’t emboss the inked piece. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts Hello Stamp & Die Set (SSS | HA) and Hero Arts From The Vault Cute Animals Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH). I also embossed a circle around the window with a bigger Hero Arts Circle Confetti Die (SSS | HA | EH) and Spellbinders Embossing Mat.
Here is one last example where I dragged an ink pad in a circle on paper. You can see the colored piece peeking out from the Hero Arts 12-Point Star Infinity Die Cut (SSS | HA | EH) window. I also white heat embossed the Hero Arts Serene Sun Stamp (SSS | HA | EH) on a piece of Judikins Embossable Window Plastic.
I love stamping on acetate so that it floats across a die cut window!
Another easy direct-to-paper technique is to drag ink pads across textured paper. For this card I used the textured side of Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper and it worked perfectly!
I again white heated embossed on a piece of Judikins Embossable Window Plastic, but this time with an image from the Hero Arts From The Vault Beach and Sea Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH). The “a happy hello” sentiment is from the Hero Arts From The Vault Cute Animals Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH).
One direct-to-paper technique that is often forgotten is to just lightly press the ink pad onto paper a few times using different colors. The texture of the pad gives a linen texture to the inking! The Hero Arts Reactive Inks (SSS | HA | EH) are perfect for this, but you can use other felt-pad inks. I did a bit of stamping and partial die cutting with the Hero Arts From The Vault Realistic Animals Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH) and dies and a Hero Arts Circle Infinity Die (SSS | HA | EH).
Here you can see the linen-like texture look in the background…
Ink cubes are also great for direct-to-paper since you can put color in smaller areas. Here, I used the Hero Arts Ink Cubes (SSS | HA | EH) to drag color across cardstock.
I white heat embossed a butterfly from the Hero Arts From The Vault Bugs Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH ) on Judikins Embossable Window Plastic and added it to a circle die cut window. Oh – and I also embossed the white panel with the Hero Arts Butterfly Confetti Die (SSS | HA ) and a Spellbinders Embossing Mat. The “thank you” is from the Hero Arts Acts of Kindness Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH).
My last few cards focus on adding water to direct-to-paper techniques. This works really well with Hero Arts Reactive Inks (SSS | HA | EH)! For this first card, I dragged a few colors of the ink over Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper. I then added a bit of water to a circle acrylic block and pressed it on the color. After leaving it there for a few minutes, I end up with smooth watercolor blending in the middle! So easy.
I added a die cut circle frame, and images from the Hero Arts From The Vault Celestial Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH) and Hero Arts Acts of Kindness Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH).
The colorful piece on this card was created by dragging Hero Arts Reactive Inks (SSS | HA | EH) onto Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper and spritzing it with water. This also features the Hero Arts From The Vault Beach and Sea Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH), Hero Arts Wave and Sea Confetti Die (SSS | HA | EH), and Hero Arts From The Vault Cute Animals Stamp Set (SSS | HA | EH). I love those dolphins!
And last but not least… my favorite of the cards. 🙂 This colorful piece was created by combining the techniques of the last two cards. (Be sure to watch the video!) It also features the Hero Arts Wave and Sea Confetti Die (SSS | HA | EH).
I hope you try these easy techniques!
BLOG HOP
This post is part of the Hero Arts 45th Anniversary Blog Hop! This hop is three days long – today is day 3.
Hero Arts is my favorite companies – hands down. They have been bringing us stamps for 45 years (!!!) and are the ones I have to thank for turning me into a stamper. I will forever be grateful.
The next stop on the hop is the blog of my bestie Kristina Werner! You can always start at the beginning of the hop at the Hero Arts Blog.
SALES
To help celebrate Hero Arts, Simon Says Stamp is offering 20% off all Hero Arts products! Use the code “HA455” through 5/27/19 to save. Shop HERE.
For additional sales and deals, head to my Crafty News and Sales Page HERE.
GIVEAWAYS
Hero Arts has LOTS of HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE giveaways! Including one from me!
- Hero Arts: 3 $145 Gift Certificates, 3 $45 Gift Certificates
- Altenew: $50 Gift Certificate
- Art Impressions: $25 Gift Certificate
- Ellen Hutson LLC: $50 Gift Certificate
- Gina K: $100 Gift Certificate
- Jennifer McGuire Ink: $100 Hero Arts Gift Certificate, 5 Share Handmade Kindness goodie bags
- Laurie Willison: 2 Card Hanger Dies
- Lawn Fawn: $50 Gift Certificate
- My Sweet Petunia: 1 Prize Bundle (Original MISTI, a set of Creative Corners, a Cut-Align, and a bar magnet)
- Online Card Classes: 5 spots in the Stamp Happy In Good Company: Hero Arts class
- Pink Fresh Studio: $45 Gift Certificate
- Scrapbook & Cards Today: 3 copies of Scrapbook & Cards Today Summer 2019 Issue
- Scrapbook.com: $50 Gift Certificate
- Simon Says Stamp: $50 Gift Certificate
Winners will be drawn from people who leave comments along the blog hop over the three days – comment all three days for more chances to win! Comment by 6/2/19 at 11:59pm PST, and Hero will announce the winners on the Hero Arts blog the following week.
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except the Hero Arts products which were received from the company with no expectation. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.
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