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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

[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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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!

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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!

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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).

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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).

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Here you can see the linen-like texture look in the background…

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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).

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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.

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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).

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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!

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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).

Direct To Paper Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

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!

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.

Hero Arts From The Vault Beach and…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Beach and…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Birthday Stamps
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Birthday Dies
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Realistic…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Realistic…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Celestial…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Bugs Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts From The Vault Cute Animals…
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Acts of Kindness Stamp Set
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Serene Sun Stamp
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Hello Stamp & Die
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Circle Infinity Dies
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts 12-Point Star Infinity Dies
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Butterfly Confetti Die
[ HA | SSS ]
Hero Arts Circle Confetti Die
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Wave and Sea Confetti Die
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Reactive Inks
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Ink Cubes
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Intense Black Ink
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
VersaMark Ink
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Hues Cardstock
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock
[ SSS ]
Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock
[ AMZUS ]
Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper
[ SSS | ELH ]
Judikins Embossable Window Plastic
[ SSS ]
Therm O Weby 1/2 Inch Purple Tape
[ SSS ]
Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cut Machine
[ SSS | SPL | AMZUS ]
Spellbinders Embossing Mat
[ SSS ]
3M Foam Tape
[ SSS | AMZUS | ELH ]
White Craft Foam
[ SSS ]
Gina K Connect Glue
[ SSS | GNK ]
Fiskars Reinforced Paper Trimmer
[ SSS | ELH ]
Tim Holtz Tonic Glass Media Mat
[ SSS | ELH ]
Lucy’s Cards Iridescent Jewels
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Anti Static Powder Bag
[ SSS | ELH ]
Hero Arts Heat Gun
[ HA | SSS | ELH ]
Studio Katia Round Block
[ SSS ]


Leave a Comment

394 thoughts on “Direct-To-Paper Techniques + SALE + GIVEAWAYS”

  1. As always your video has given lot of clever ideas and helpful hints to make these very eye-catching cards! Thanks for sharing your wonderful inspiration!

  2. Lovely cards, and it is such fun to revisit an older technique paired with older stamp styles!

  3. Beautiful cards as always. I like this technique and will definitely be giving it a try.

  4. I have loved Hero Arts forever. They have always had fun stamps & improvements for us, the stamping public, as the years have rolled on!

  5. The vibrancy of the colors is just amazing! You always feature such awesome techniques. Can’t wait to try this one!

  6. Jennifer, I love your card designs and that you remind me of techniques I had learned but had forgotten about! You always have a refreshrd or fresh idea with your designs and videos! Thank you for sharing your love and talent for this industry!

  7. As always, your cards are amazing, Jennifer! Love the techniques you show and the bright colors you’ve used. Thanks for all the inspiration!

  8. Wow Jennifer these are amazing and indeed easy techniques. You created a great bunch of card and they all look stunning. I can imagine so well that Hero Arts is your favorite compan and not only because they have great products. Thank you so much Jennnifer for your great inspirational post and the great prizes you have made available for this 45th Anniversaty blog hop.

  9. I love all your cards and what you do. I love what you teach in your videos. Hero Arts is a great company and love what they have to offer and what they stand for. Great job.

  10. Saving the best for the end! Jennifer love these cards and the technique, thank you for all that you do and keep up with the videos

  11. Dear Jeniffer
    Wow what beautiful and elegant set of cards. Love them all.
    As always i learnt a lot by watching the video. The direct to paper technique and how to put acetate are some things i learnt in addition to partial die cutting and use of embossing folders.
    I hv a manual die cutting machine but i still cannot use a embossing folder though i have some. I will give it a try again. Love and hugs as always

  12. You have given me a fresh way to look at my dies as cut out windows! Your cards are delightful and trendy!

  13. I watch every one of your videos in delight and I can never tell you enough how much I appreciate your kindness.
    Your teaching skills help me very much too. Your direct to paper is something I will try soon. I love the card with the sun on it very much. You were right to try something you would not normally do 😉

  14. As usual you do over the top with color and technique. Love all the wonderful cards.
    Hero arts is one of the best in the industry.

  15. Those new inks look like a lot of fun to play with. As usual, your cards are gorgeous and we’re so glad you celebrated with your own stop on the hop.

  16. Hi Jennifer 🙂 Soooooo thankful for these chances to go back to the beginnings of the industry and learn some of the original techniques!!! I’d never heard of these direct to paper techniques! They’re gorgeous!!! Thank you for helping sponsor the hop and thanks for the inspiration too 🙂

  17. All of your cards are beautiful! I love the clean look against the colorful backgrounds.

  18. I love your cards and videos. You are always so much fun to watch and to learn from your new techniques. I sometimes just relax to your soothing voice. Thanks!

  19. Thank you for a wonderful video. You always inspire me. I love all these fun direct to paper techniques with the new Hero Arts inks and their stamps. I definitely need all of these delicious looking inks!!!

  20. Great basic techniques shared today. I still find it fascinating that stamping has existed longer than I’ve been alive.

  21. All of your cards are amazing (as always), but the card with the sun image is stunning! It is fun to revisit the techniques that we haven’t used in awhile – thanks for the reminder!

  22. I always learn so much from you and your videos are super ! These are great cards – so pretty and colorful. Will definitely have to try these tecqniues!

  23. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. I love watching your videos and am excited to see another great one with tons of options!

  24. Jennifer you always come up with great ideas and wonderful cards! Such pretty colors and fun images.

  25. Beautiful cards! Great ideas to try.
    I hope I am too late with my well wishes! It is almost a month after you published this post and I do hope you have fully recovered.

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